New Jersey teacher says universe aligned to save her life: ‘He’s an angel’

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — Chrystal Rinehold, a high school physical education teacher in Elizabeth, New Jersey, said she might not be alive today if the universe wasn’t aligned just right.

Rinehold collapsed during the seventh mile of the Jersey City Half Marathon last Saturday and was rescued by a fellow runner who is also an emergency room physician.

“The best way to explain it is that I felt like my body was shutting down,” Rinehold said.

“She was in relatively critical condition,” said Dr. Shane Naidoo, who ran after Rinehold when she passed out.

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Dr. Naidoo said Rinehold was on the verge of cardiac arrest and was suffering from a combination of dehydration, exertion, adrenaline and low blood sugar.

“I was under-energized and I think that was just a recipe for disaster,” Rinehold said.

It took 25 minutes for an ambulance to reach Rinehold, providing care for Dr. Naidoo made it crucial.

“I think if we had done nothing – if we had just waited for an ambulance to arrive – we could have gotten to the point where she would have needed cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” Dr. Naidoo.

The couple said Dr. Naidoo’s timing was a stroke of fate. The doctor wasn’t supposed to be in the North Carolina town, but Hurricane Helene ruined his plans. He also took a bathroom break on the track, something he never did in any race.

“If that hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have ended up behind me at that moment,” Rinehold said.

“I think it was fate that I should be here,” said Dr. Naidoo.

After going to the hospital with Rinehold, Dr. Naidoo the race. A volunteer spotted him, realized he was the last runner, and helped clear the path to ensure he crossed the finish line.

Dr. Naidoo took his race medal, physically split it in half and shared the other piece with Rinehold.

“He’s an angel,” Rinehold said. “He has now become a friend of our family.”

“I did what I was supposed to do that day,” said Dr. Naidoo.

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