I was at Quarter Max this morning when a swimmer was pulled from the water unconscious. The paramadics worked on him for over an hour before he was air lifted away. Does anyone know what happened to him? Really scarry scene to witness.
Jarred
I was there also. I’ve heard a couple of rumors but do not think it is a good idea to post anything I’m not sure about. There are also conflicting reports on what happened. What I did see was that it appeared to be one of the Octomax swimmers (500y lake swim) and the swimmer wasn’t that far (10 yards give or take) from the finish. The helicoptor was there within 20-30 minutes of the activity around the swim finish. I didn’t stick around for the awards and don’t know if any announcements were made. I’m sure we will hear more about it later on. Unfornately if there is bad news it might be on the television tonight on the ten o’clock news locally.
I was there as well. It made the 5 and 6 O’Clock news in STL. The end for the gentlemen was, unfortunately, not positive. He was in his 20’s, I know not of his family status. A sad day for Triathlon.
It was a wake up call and dose of reality this morning, sadly.
IronTiger
I was there as well…I will
simply add the following link and thoughts and prayers:
Sorry…link not working but cut and paste will do…
I was there as well and heard about it from my wife after the race. His name was James Hunt, he was 26 and his whole family was there, along with members of his team he was racing for.
Sorry, no. His name was Kevin Hunt.
horrible news.
Sorry, no. His name was Kevin Hunt.
Yeah, that was my mistake, I had just been readin an F1 article.
By the way he was doing the Octomax.
I was spectating yesterday and was standing right at the swim finish waiting for the Women’s Quatermax to finish and Men’s Quartermax to start. The Women’s Octomax to my recollection had all exited the water and there were still some Men Octomax stragglers coming in. I unfortunately did not have my attention on the water. I heard what I later found out to be Kevin’s father enouraging Kevin that he only had 50 feet or so to go. It was during this time that apparently Kevin went under briefly but came back up and asked for help. I heard a lady scream something to the affect of “He hasn’t come back up.” I looked over and she was try to tell one of the Kyakers that someone is in trouble. There was another straggler in the water that was having problems as well doing backstroke and the Kayaker was assisting. I think there perhaps might have been some confusion towards “who” was in trouble. I dropped my short and sandles and dove in and swam out to the Kayak trying to take instructions from the lady on shore of where he went down at since I didn’t see it. The Kayaker exited the water as well and another person joined us and we started a search line. We soon had about 5 of us searching. The men’s Quatermaxer were still on shore and started coming over towards us. A larger searchline was formed and Kevin was pulled up about 5 feet from where I was. He was pale and eyes were open and he was wearing one of those nose plugs. Someone started rescue breathing as he was towed to shore. The Paramedics were there we we got to the shore.
I lifeguarded my way through highschool and college. I hit my watch when I entered the water. He was pulled out 5:23, Lifeflighting 34:00
It looked like the Paramedics were going between rescue breathing and CPR. The paddles also came out, but apparently they could not get a consistant pulse.
My condolences to the family and friends who had to witness such a tradegy. I wish I had seen him go under. The lake BTW has zero visibility from the surface. 6 inches under and you cannot be seen. The water was ~8-10’ where he drowned.
I just hope more precautions and safety come out of this.
It’s still too soon for me to have too much of an opinion on this, but some statements on this based partially on what I saw and partially from hearsay.
I saw 2 Kayaks and 2 stragglers (not including Kevin) in the immediate vicinity (There were more out on course with other waves.) The ratio’s looked correct as far as ratios go. I used to work an aqua park where we had a lifeguard every 15-20 feet in clear water that you could stand up in. So ratios are ratios, but doesn’t mean it’s safe.
The swim was not wet suit legal.
Two weeks ago there was a training session out at the race site. Kevin apparently attempted the swim twice un succesfully and had to hang on to one of the Kayaks that were out there during the training. I heard this from a friend of mine who was talking with some people who knew Kevin and trained with him.
There are USAT certified belts triggered by a ring that inflate using CO2 as well as a manual option.
Wet suits can always be worn even though you will not be elligible for awards or points.
I am not trying to place any blame here. I believe that when tragedy’s such as this occur there are problems that occured all across the board. Or better yet, question, answers, and actions taken all across the board.
I’m sure that the family is grateful for your and others’ help…
Terrible news.
Over all the years, and many tris that I have done, to be honest, I think the swim is the most exposed. There generally are
not close to enough folks on the water if there is a real issue. I know they are usually begging folks to just go out on the boats.
This means in most cases, these folks have no skills to deal with a real emergency. (I know I would not)
Again, prayers out to the family.
Dave
I’m sorry, call me cold, but this is not a tragedy. This was a choice. A tragedy is when someone is killed by a drunk driver or when children are molested. This was a choice by a selfish person who was too dumb to realize that he was not properly prepared to finish a triathlon. He never should have been in the water.
Furthermore, his “friends” never should have let him get in the water. If you are training with someone who is unable to finish a 600 meter swim TWICE, speak the F up!
If the race director knew about these practice swims he/she should never have let that fool in the water.
Good on you for helping. I hope you’re doing ok after going through something like that.
Rather than just bitch and moan, here are my suggestions.
#1. All swims should have a cutoff time. And that cutoff should tough enough that to make it you most definitely should be able to finish without a problem
#2. RD, Volunteers, Lifeguards or any member of the race staff should be able to pull a swimmer if they feel that it is not safe for them to be in the water.
#3. if you have access, do practice swims on the measured course to ensure that weak swimmers can make or so they can see if they can make it. Change for this and make sure that there is a boat for every swimmer.
#5. If you still feel that all people should be able to compete, make a separate swim course that runs in 100 meter loops where the swimmer must exit the water after each lap ITU style.
Did the rest of the events continue? Or were swimmers stopped in route (or not started for Qmax)? I can’t imagine still racing after watching events like that unfold…
Yes it is harsh and somewhat inappropriate in that this young man lost his life.
May we ask how you know he was not prepared to finish the 600 m? If based on the training issues, was he just having difficulty that day? Let’s not pass judgment on this unfortunate occurence - oh wait, ST, of course. Go for it.
J3ckyl - you did a good job out there - unfortunate it didnt have a happier outcome, but you did all you could.
La Woof - thats out of order.
I think LaWoof is saying he was unprepared to do the swim because he was not able to complete the swim in 2 practice swims. He had to be assisted by kayak both times.
I don’t blame anyone here, this is a horrible tragedy. Is there anything to be learned from this? Are more/better lifeguards needed? Do we need a minimum swim competency standard? Like a USAT certification to enter open water swims, taught by local lifeguards? Should wetsuits be eliminated as a whole, thus forcing weak swimmers to learn or not enter the water? Sometimes good can come out of something bad like this happening.
Agreed, but the comment was unconstructive and harsh in light of the outcome. What is to be learned by the harsh comment and being critical of the person who died?
In stark constrast to the post from J3ckyl - kudos to him for doing what he could in the situation.
Terrible news.
Over all the years, and many tris that I have done, to be honest, I think the swim is the most exposed. There generally are
not close to enough folks on the water if there is a real issue. I know they are usually begging folks to just go out on the boats.
This means in most cases, these folks have no skills to deal with a real emergency. (I know I would not)
the folks in boats are not always trained to recognize when a swimmer is in trouble.
to watch and not talk to the lifeguards or rescue a swimmer.
I have bin a lifeguard at IMLP for 4 years
I don’t think you will ever see a non wetsuit swim at IMLP because of the safety issue
sad day for the swim safety team
Thom
Do we need a minimum swim competency standard?<<
Very sad happening.
Didn’t Mrs. T’s (now Chicago Tri) used to have a swim competency requirement? Do they still? I did that race once and I thought that there was one.
clm
“What is to be learned by the harsh comment and being critical of the person who died?”
Probably nothing, but that is his opinion. Don’t let it get under your skin.