Details emerged yesterday of a spectator’s death following a medical drama that unfolded at the Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 held in East London on Sunday.
This is the third confirmed death at the triathlon within two years.
In 2013, the deaths of two swimmers from Gauteng, aged 29 and 37, rocked the then Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3.
Event organisers were yesterday not forthcoming with information regarding the death or the deceased woman’s identity yesterday.
However, the Daily Dispatch was able to confirm from three sources that a woman from Johannesburg died after collapsing from an apparent heart attack on the sidelines of the event.
A friend of the family, Attie Venter, identified the dead woman as Lindi Cilliers, who had travelled to support her participant husband.
Venter said the family and friends were shocked and saddened by Cilliers’s sudden death.
“It’s very sad and tragic that they came to be part of the event and [she] unfortunately ended up dying.
“She was not involved in the race but was waiting for her husband to come back from the swimming and cycling leg of the race,” said Venter.
Initial reports after the race were that a spectator was rushed to hospital after falling from a balcony and injuring his head.
Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 spokesman Michael Flanagan was asked several times about a spectator’s death but he would not comment.
He denied that a spectator had fallen from an Orient Theatre balcony as reported yesterday.
Asked if anyone had died, Flanagan said: “I cannot comment about that. I can confirm that I am unaware of a spectator who fell from a balcony.”
Pressed further, Flanagan said: “I'm not denying it but we don’t have a comment on that. A spectator collapsed and our medical team worked on the patient.
“Our medical staff confirmed that she was alive when she was transported from the site.”
Alderson Ambulances spokesman Jason Leicester confirmed that a woman patient had died, but could not give details of who she was.
“I’m not sure of where the woman was from, but she collapsed behind the auditorium and CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation took place there. She was then taken up the spectator walkway to the transition area where the ambulance was waiting to transport,” said Leicester.
“No participants died and most were in a stable condition.”
The Dispatch understands that Cilliers was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital, but the hospital said it would not comment owing to its policy of patient confidentiality.
Ironman spectator collapses and dies
This is the third confirmed death at the triathlon within two years.
In 2013, the deaths of two swimmers from Gauteng, aged 29 and 37, rocked the then Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3.
Event organisers were yesterday not forthcoming with information regarding the death or the deceased woman’s identity yesterday.
However, the Daily Dispatch was able to confirm from three sources that a woman from Johannesburg died after collapsing from an apparent heart attack on the sidelines of the event.
A friend of the family, Attie Venter, identified the dead woman as Lindi Cilliers, who had travelled to support her participant husband.
Venter said the family and friends were shocked and saddened by Cilliers’s sudden death.
“It’s very sad and tragic that they came to be part of the event and [she] unfortunately ended up dying.
“She was not involved in the race but was waiting for her husband to come back from the swimming and cycling leg of the race,” said Venter.
Initial reports after the race were that a spectator was rushed to hospital after falling from a balcony and injuring his head.
Standard Bank Ironman 70.3 spokesman Michael Flanagan was asked several times about a spectator’s death but he would not comment.
He denied that a spectator had fallen from an Orient Theatre balcony as reported yesterday.
Asked if anyone had died, Flanagan said: “I cannot comment about that. I can confirm that I am unaware of a spectator who fell from a balcony.”
Pressed further, Flanagan said: “I'm not denying it but we don’t have a comment on that. A spectator collapsed and our medical team worked on the patient.
“Our medical staff confirmed that she was alive when she was transported from the site.”
Alderson Ambulances spokesman Jason Leicester confirmed that a woman patient had died, but could not give details of who she was.
“I’m not sure of where the woman was from, but she collapsed behind the auditorium and CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation took place there. She was then taken up the spectator walkway to the transition area where the ambulance was waiting to transport,” said Leicester.
“No participants died and most were in a stable condition.”
The Dispatch understands that Cilliers was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital, but the hospital said it would not comment owing to its policy of patient confidentiality.
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