Triathlete dies after cardiac event at Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells
On-site emergency personnel rushed the 57-year-old athlete to a nearby hospital after the swim, but they were unable to save him
Photo by: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images for IRONMAN
Atriathlete passed away on Sunday after on-site medical personnel pulled him out of the swim at Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells and took him to hospital. Authorities have identified the man as 57-year-old Brett Shirk of Austin, Texas. Race officials reportedly saw Shirk struggling in the water and hurried to get him out. He was taken to a nearby hospital in Indio, Calif., where medical staff pronounced him dead.
Ironman Triathlete Dies After Cardiac Arrest During Swim in Indian Wellshttps://t.co/rEGGgYt3Bl
Shirk was a husband and father, and he was chief sales officer at CrowdStrike, an American cybersecurity company. He was in the middle of the 1.9-kilometre swim in Lake Cahuilla when it became apparent to onlookers that he was distressed and struggling.
Ironman released a statement regarding the incident, expressing the company’s sorrow on the matter. “We share our deepest sympathies with the family and friends of [Shirk] and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.” The statement also thanked the water safety and medical personnel who worked to help Shirk on site at the race.
Local authorities are still investigating the death, but multiple reports state that Shirk is suspected to have suffered cardiac arrest during the swim.
Categories: News Tags: Brett Shirk, Indian Wells, Ironman, ironman 70.3 indian wells, news
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