Sunday, August 06, 2017

Tragedy strikes 2017 Cobra Ironman 70.3 in Cebu

Tragedy struck the 2017 Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines when a competitor died during the race.

A triathlete died while competing in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Mactan, Cebu Sunday.

The unnamed victim was a participant in the men’s 45-49 category. Race marshals and paramedics tried to help the victim before rushing him to the Mactan Doctor's Hospital after being found unconscious off the waters of Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, where the triathlon started early Sunday morning.

The athlete, Eric Nadal Mediavillo, reportedly died of cardiac arrest. He was declared dead on arrival at 8:45 a.m. at the Mactan Doctors Hospital.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our athletes following the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu. The athlete required medical attention during the swim portion of Sunday’s race and was properly transported to a nearby hospital where they (sic) were treated. Our condolences go out to the athlete’s family and friends, whom we will continue to support,” in a statement released by the organizers.

Senior Inspector Rommel Cabagnot, the chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, later confirmed to ABS-CBN News that the athlete was declared dead on arrival at 8:45 a.m. The victim suffered cardiac arrest.

A triathlete also died back in 2012 in the same race in Cebu. Back in 2009, a competitor drowned in the event's inaugural staging in Camarines Sur after suffering a stroke.

Meanwhile, PO2 Brian Guillen from Tribu Lapu-Lapu Team 2 had to be brought to the Chong Hua Hospital after collapsing a few meters away from the finish line.

Competing in the relay division, Guillen was trying to secure a second place finish for his team when he collapsed. He is currently in the hospital for medication. (Report from Charry Lane Coronel, ABS-CBN News)

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