Two participants in the Ironman competition taking place in Port Elizabeth died on Sunday – one of a suspected heart attack while the other is believed to have suffered convulsions.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of two race participants at the Ironman African Championship. Both athletes required medical attention during the swim portion of Sunday’s race and were transported to a nearby hospital where they were treated,” organisers said in a statement on Facebook.
#Swim was shortened from 3.8 km to 1.6 km due to choppy conditions.
Two deaths (1 Heart attack,1 Convulsions)#SBIronman #AMAfricanChamps
IRONMAN South Africa released the statement below. https://t.co/QEk65FJR1l— Rodrigo Zacca, Ph.D (@RodrigoZacca) April 7, 2019
“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of both athletes, whom we will continue to support. We are working with the local authorities to gather all the details.
Police spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu confirmed that both incidents happened about 10 minutes apart and that both were declared dead when they reached the hospital.
They were named as Leon Stanvliet, 63, from George, and Andre Trichardt, 58, from Durban.
Officials on the scene said it appeared Stanvliet had convulsions during the swim and Trichardt is believed to have had a heart-related problem during the swim.
And the pro men are off! #IMAfricanChamps Shortened swim today – 1.6km it is said. pic.twitter.com/KPIxTKrruH
— Rosh. (@roshnigajjar) April 7, 2019
Both were taken out of the water by rescuers but attempts to resuscitate them failed. “At this stage, we are awaiting the postmortem results to determine the exact causes of death. No foul play is believed to be part of the incidents and two inquest cases are under investigation,” said Naidu.
Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mongameli Bobani sent his condolences to the family and friends of the competitors who lost their lives.
Statement by @NMandelaBaymuni Executive Mayor Mongameli Bobani.
April 7, 2019
PASSING ON OF TWO IRONMAN ATHLETES @StandardBankZA @IMSouthAfrica #IMAfricanChamps ๐๐ฟโโ๏ธ๐โโ๏ธ๐ด๐พโโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/r4I6S0YZUk
— Mayor Mongameli Bobani (@BobaniMayor) April 7, 2019
More From #IMAfricanChamop:
Ironman African Champion x2 ๐ Really tough day, made easier having my hubby & coach @reece_barclay out racing on the same course!โค๏ธ #IMAfricanChamps #TeamCharlesBarclay Photos: @badiejb ๐ธ pic.twitter.com/YP1QS7SYAE
— Lucy Charles-Barclay (@LucyAnneCharles) April 7, 2019
Weโve had ALL our young people out supporting @IMSouthAfrica at #IMAfricanChamps…weโve been VERY excited cheering #TeamOrange at the top of our voices for heroes raising funds for children in need including our #siyakatala kids – weโre a PROUD beneficiary of @ironman4thekidz! pic.twitter.com/sSiuEYAjcE
— Maranatha Children (@MaranathaCare) April 7, 2019
Athletes of the Siyaphambili Triathlon Programme on a mission to conquer the 2019 #SBIronman @IMSouthAfrica. #IMAfricanChamps pic.twitter.com/dNTddgZdjy
— Standard Bank SA (@StandardBankZA) April 7, 2019