The Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon ended in tragedy on Sunday when a competitor died after being rescued from Noyac Bay.
According to The Southampton Press, the victim was identified as 34-year-old Lin Chung from Queens, N.Y.
Lifeguards and the Southampton Town Police Marine Patrol both responded to a man in distress during the 1.5-kilometer swimming portion of the triathlon. He was pulled from the water, and rescuers performed CPR, but he did not regain consciousness.
The heroic rescue was performed on a paddleboard, with several competitors pitching in to keep Chung on the board and out of the water. The responding lifeguard began chest compressions while still on the board until an emergency jet ski could transfer the victim to the beach. There, an AED was brought to the scene.
“All credit to that lifeguard, I don’t know who the man was but it was a heroic effort by him,” said fellow triathlon competitor Bill Hughes.
“Our sport of triathlon lost a member of our beloved community,” triathlon organizer Vicky Venture said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the athlete’s family and friends and we offer them our support as they go through this unimaginable time. We also thank the lifeguards and first responders on scene for their assistance. We request privacy for the family as they navigate this loss.”
The Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon includes a 1.3-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike ride, and 10-kilometer run, and the event raises money for teen girls sporting programs.
Chung’s Sunday drowning comes just days after a 51-year-old Ironman died of a medical emergency during the swimming portion of the Madison, Wis., Ironman last weekend. Channel 3000 reported that rescuers attempted lifesaving measures on that victim as well. He was pulled from Lake Monona, but later pronounced dead at the hospital.
