A competitor died during the swimming portion of the IRONMAN Texas course, officials say.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — A participant in Saturday’s IRONMAN Texas race has died during the swimming portion of the course in The Woodlands, organizers said.
The swimming portion of the course took place in Lake Woodlands at Northshore Park.
“We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas triathlon,” organizers said in a statement. “We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this difficult time.”
The Woodlands Fire Department said they were first notified of a possible lost swimmer at 7:36 a.m. and a dive team, as well as a boat rescue team, was on scene by 7:38 a.m.
At 8:02 a.m., the fire department said sonar on one of the boats found a target. At 9:07 a.m., they confirmed they had found a victim about 10 feet under the water. They were pulled from the lake at 9:39 a.m. and pronounced dead shortly after.
The participant has not yet been identified.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said a death investigation is underway, as is normal protocol for a drowning in the county.
Read IRONMAN Texas’ full statement below:
“We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas triathlon. We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. Our gratitude goes out to the first responders for their assistance. Out of respect for the athlete and their family, we will have no further comment.”
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