A Wilmington man died Sunday while participating in the Escape the Cape Triathlon in New Jersey after going into distress during the water portion of the race.
According to a joint statement from DelMoSports and the Delaware River & Bay Authority, the man, who officials described as “70-plus,” was near the finish of the Open Water Classic portion of the competition about 8:30 a.m. Sunday when he was spotted in distress by lifeguards.
The man was taken out of the water near David Douglass Sr. Memorial Park where emergency medical service personnel administered CPR, attempting to resuscitate him. He was transported by ambulance to Cape Regional Medical Center.
While the statement did not explicitly announce the death of the participant other than to say a fatality occurred, it included an expression of sympathy from DelMoSports.
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“I’m heartbroken,” said Stephen DelMonte, CEO of DelMoSports LLC. “DelMoSports and USA Triathlon lost a member of its beloved community, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
The medical examiner is expected to perform an autopsy and further information will be made available by the family and authorities, according to the statement.
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