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

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — Chrystal Rinehold, a high school gym teacher in Elizabeth, New Jersey, said she might not be alive today if the universe did not align in precisely the right way.

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

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

"She was in a relatively critical state," said Dr. Shane Naidoo, who was running behind Rinehold when she passed out.

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

"I wasn't properly fueled, and I think it was just a recipe for disaster," said Rinehold.

It took 25 minutes for an ambulance to reach Rinehold, making Dr. Naidoo's care critical.

"I think if we had done nothing – if we had just waited for an ambulance to arrive – we could've progressed to the level where she would've needed CPR," said Dr. Naidoo.

The pair said Dr. Naidoo's timing was an act of fate. The doctor was supposed to be out of town in North Carolina, but Hurricane Helene canceled his plans. He also took a bathroom break on the course, which is something he's never done in any race.

"If that didn't happen, he wouldn't have ended up behind me at that very moment," said Rinehold.

"I think it was fate that I was supposed to be here," said Dr. Naidoo.

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

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

"He's an angel," said Rinehold. "He's become a family friend of ours at this point."

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