succumbs to serious injury suffered during fall while skiing, with paramedics declaring him dead at the scene
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Police say the death of a man while waterskiing at an annual event on the Victoria-NSW border is a tragedy that will affect the community for months to come.
It was the sixth fatal accident at the Southern 80 waterski race since 2006.
The event takes place on the Murray River from Torrumbarry to Echuca, where the river has more than 120 bends.
On Sunday, emergency services were called to the river near Moama at about 10am, after reports a man had been seriously injured while skiing.
On arrival, Victoria Ambulance paramedics found the man had died at the scene.
He was yet to be identified on Sunday afternoon.
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NSW police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, with chief inspector Paul Huggett describing the incident as an “absolute tragedy”.
“It affects the whole community, from emergency services to the bloke that owns the fish and chip shop.
“This will affect the community for months to come … it’s an absolute tragedy,” he told reporters at the scene on Sunday.
Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp said the man, who was on a competing team, fell and could not be revived.
Racing was immediately suspended and has since been cancelle
d, Shipp said in a statement.
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