A charity race in DC nearly turned deadly for a US Senator — ironically, one of the younger members of the upper chamber. Thom Tillis needed CPR [see update below] after collapsing at the ACLI Capital Challenge, but the 56-year-old from North Carolina was breathing when an ambulance took him to an undisclosed hospital:

JUST IN: Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina collapses, is given CPR during 3-mile running race in D.C. https://t.co/T0kMxw1s6z pic.twitter.com/ICPNJkAJSF

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 17, 2017

The Associated Press also reports that it took CPR to revive Tillis:

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina collapsed during a Washington, D.C., race Wednesday morning and was taken away by ambulance.

Tillis, 57, was seen on the ground being administered CPR by bystanders at about 15-20 minutes into the race, which started at 8 a.m. The three-mile race was being held in Anacostia Park in the southeast part of the city.

Tillis at first appeared unconscious but was revived and breathing when taken away by ambulance from the ACLI Capital Challenge Three Mile Team Race. Tillis was participating in the ACLI Capital Challenge race, an annual event in Anacostia Park in the district. He was leading his own team, “Team Tillis.”

Tillis’ colleague Marco Rubio asked Twitter followers for prayers before hardly anyone knew of the collapse:

Please pray for my Senate colleague @ThomTillis https://t.co/fLBMJ11l5m

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 17, 2017

We’ll have updates as the story continues to develop, but let’s indeed pray for Tillis’ swift recovery.

A bystander hailed three unnamed men for saving Tillis’ life:

At today's ACLI race, 3 men saved the life of Senator Thom Tillis of NC #bravery @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/gp56mXRvkz

— Debra Alfarone (@DebraAlfarone) May 17, 2017

Update, 9:29 am ET: Niels Lesniewski reports that Tillis got two miles into the run before experiencing difficulties, and that a second participant also had to be hospitalized:

Roll Call confirmed that Tillis collapsed,  apparently in the vicinity of the two-mile marker along the course through Anacostia Park. Officials were looking for a staffer for Tillis at the finish line. …

A course volunteer confirmed that Tillis was transported by ambulance. A second runner who collapsed was breathing, race organizers say, and that person was  being transported to Medstar Washington Hospital Center via Park Police helicopter.

Still no word on Tillis’ condition as of this update. Also, please note that the AP got Tillis’ age incorrect in its initial report. He’s 56 years old, and will turn 57 in August.

Update: A timely reminder:

CPR does save lives – learn it. Contact your local @redcross or @American_Heart to find out how.

— Realist & Curmudgeon (@PenguinsFan62) May 17, 2017

Update, 9:41: Fox’s Bill Hemmer reports that Tillis may have gotten too dehydrated:

From #DC, @SenThomTillis is awake at the hospital, appears to be dehydration.

— BILL HEMMER (@BillHemmer) May 17, 2017

If so, it’s still a potentially life-threatening situation, but one that prompt medical attention can reverse quickly. Dehydration can create cardiac difficulties even in healthier people, which is why it’s so important to hydrate during physical exertion.

Update, 9:52: This is about as good as news can get:

I'm doing well. Looking forward to getting back to work. Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes. #CapChallenge pic.twitter.com/uQGQp85qzR

— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) May 17, 2017

Swift recovery, Senator. And keep those water bottles handy!

Update: There’s now some debate as to whether full CPR was given, or “rescue breathing” was administered. I’ve taken the reference out of the headline, but will leave the excerpts alone.