An unidentified man died during the swimming portion of the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon over the weekend in Augusta, Ga.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta Facebook page confirmed that a race participant died after receiving medical attention during the event, which started with a 1.2-mile swim in the Savannah River.
“We are incredibly saddened to confirm the death of a race participant at the IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta,” the Facebook post reads. “The athlete received immediate medical attention upon swim safety personnel being alerted of the distressed athlete during the swim portion of Sunday’s race. We share our greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. We thank the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical support.”
According to WSAV, the race, which also includes a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, was briefly postponed as the water was cleared. The man was transported to the Augusta University Medical Center, where he died. An autopsy is scheduled for this week.
“He was obviously in distress they were doing compressions on him when they were bringing him to the dock and then when they were taking him out,” John Osborne, who was watching his son race, told WSAV.
