In the early hours of New Year’s Day, Banff RCMP received a report of an assault occurring hours earlier at one of the hotels.
It was reported cross-country British runner Jamie McDonald had been assaulted sometime between 2 and 3:45 a.m. by unknown persons. McDonald has been in the Canadian media spotlight since March of 2013 for his cross-country run to raise money for children’s hospitals in the U.K. and Canada. McDonald claimed he was struck by an assailant and lost a satchel containing his personal belongings during the struggle.
The victim was celebrating New Year’s Eve with unknown persons he met during the early night time hours and recalled visiting multiple hotels,” according to a Banff RCMP press release. Although unsure of which hotel, the victim alleges he was grabbed by an unknown male, pulled into an open hotel room, where a physical confrontation ensued. A short time later, the victim was able to escape and left the unknown hotel. The victim admittedly consumed a large quantity of alcohol during the course of the evening.
“I’ve gotten everything back and I’m a little bit shaken up, but other than that I’m all good,” said McDonald on New Year’s Day. He added that the injuries he received were minor. “I have a big blow to the head and my hips hurt and are a bit knackered, but you know, I’m so close to the finish I’m sure I can run on it.”
Banff RCMP reported staff at another hotel in Banff assisted McDonald at approximately 3:45 a.m., when he attempted to call police regarding missing property. Staff members told police they assisted McDonald before he left the hotel lobby a short time later. Police were not dispatched during the initial call.
McDonald informed an acquaintance that he had been assaulted and was now missing his satchel. The acquaintance then posted the event on social media.
A guest at another hotel found the missing man bag in a stairwell where it was turned in to front desk staff at approximately 6:30 a.m., reported RCMP. During a search of the bag, staff found the victim’s identification and called him directly, advising of the recovery of his property.
“I got everything back, nothing was taken at all,” said McDonald. He added the event was having a positive affect towards his charity run. “Everything has gone a bit mental, the phone’s been going off every two minutes, it’s ringing right now from media and the fundraising’s going through the roof, which is amazing.”
McDonald has raised over $100,000 for the Canadian SickKids Foundation, and over Ł30,000 for the U.K’s Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and the Pied Piper Appeal.
