A BBC presenter paused coverage of the Great North Run to pay tribute to ‘bionic suit’ fundraiser Claire Lomas following her tragic death in the Middle East just days ago.
Gabby Logan, who hosted this year’s Olympics, was reporting from Tyneside to anchor the live broadcast of the race.
The BBC coverage showed a montage of highlights from the past 43 years including Mo Farah‘s final Great North Run and Claire Lomas.
Ms Lomas, 44, was paralysed from the chest down after she was thrown off a horse 17 years ago.
Gabby Logan took a moment to pay tribute to Clair Lomas who tragically died in Jordan just days ago
Claire Lomas is pictured during a commemorative montage shown during coverage of the Great North Run
Claire Lomas on the Tyne Bridge as she takes part in the Great North Run in Newcastle in 2016
Despite her injuries, she completed the Great North Run in 2016 wearing a bionic suit.
Sadly, he died following an unknown accident in Jordan on August 22.
Following the montage, Ms Logan paused the BBC coverage to inform viewers of Ms Lomas’ tragic passing.
She said: ‘You may have recognised Claire Lomas in her bionic suit, which she wore to complete the Great North Run, having been paralysed in her sport, eventing.
‘Well, it is very sad news I bring you that Claire died in an accident in Jordan a few days ago.
‘And later we’ll pay a proper tribute to this incredible, inspirational woman with Sir Brendan Foster.
‘Of course, it’s people like Claire who will have got so many of these thousands here off the sofa, got them moving having been inspired.’
Claire Lomas broke her neck, back and ribs and punctured a lung when her horse threw her off as she took part in the Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire.
The former chiropractor, from Eye Kettleby, near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, completed the London Marathon in 17 days in 2012 using the ‘bionic’ suit.
Claire Lomas crosses the finish line in her robotic suit during the Great North Run in Newcastle on September 11, 2016
Ms Lomas, then 36, was all smiles after receiving her MBE at Buckingham Palace in from the then Duke of Cambridge
Ms Lomas was made an MBE by Prince William in 2017 who said he was ‘honoured’ to meet her upon presenting the award
She was the first paralysed person to complete the London Marathon using a robotic suit, raising £220,000 for the NSIF.
For her efforts, she was given the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron for the Paralympic Games in London 2012.
Ms Lomas, who was also a motivational speaker and qualified pilot, was made an MBE by Prince William in 2017 who said he was ‘honoured’ to meet her upon presenting the award.
She also hand-cycled 400 miles around the UK in another fundraising success.
A statement from her family, including her parents Martin and Joyce, read: ‘We are absolutely devastated to lose Claire. We would ask people to respect our privacy in the coming days to allow us to grieve in peace.’
Ms Lomas lived with her husband Dan who she married in 2010 and their two daughters, Maisie and Chloe.
The family has announced a funeral will be held at St Mary’s Church, in Melton Mowbray, but the date is yet to be confirmed.
Great Run posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the inspirational fundraiser, Claire Lomas MBE.
Claire Lomas, with her husband Dan Spincer on their wedding day in 2010
Ms Lomas before her accident on her horse Roland in 2006
Claire Lomas participates in a handcycle training run in Leicester on April 7, 2013
Claire who suffers from severe spinal injuries crosses the finishing line in the Mall with her husband Dan Spincer behind her in 2012
Claire Lomas walks with Tim Henman and his wife Lucy Henman in Woolwich during the London Marathon in 2012
Claire completing the 2012 London Marathon after 17 gruelling days in a bionic suit
Ms Lomas (pictured with her London Marathon medal) was paralysed in a horse riding accident but decided to dedicate her life to fundraising
‘Claire made history as the first person in the UK to walk with a bionic ReWalk suit, inspiring runners across the UK and beyond.
‘Over the past decade, Claire completed many Great Run Series events alongside her dedicated support team, as part of an incredible fundraising drive, raising almost £1 million for charities.’
Paul Foster, chief executive of Great Run, said: ‘Claire was a true inspiration. Her achievement in completing the 2016 Great North Run was one of the most powerful moments in the long history of the event.
‘Everyone at Great Run was devastated to hear of her passing, and we will pay tribute at next week’s Great North Run. Our thoughts and love are with her parents Martin & Joyce, husband Dan, and their two young daughters, Maisie and Chloe.’