A man who was competing in a New York triathlon on Sunday reportedly died during the swimming leg of the event, per The Southampton Press. According to the outlet, Lin Chung, 34, was "pulled unconscious from the waters of Noyac Bay during the swim portion of the Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon...."
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When it appeared that Chung was having difficulty while swimming, he was quickly brought out of the water. A Southampton Town Police Marine Patrol unit, along with lifeguards who were present, tried very hard to help Chung. Unfortunately, the life-saving measures that the first responders used proved ineffective. Chung was then brought to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. He was pronounced dead there. The exact cause of his passing is under investigation.
One of the Triathlon Organizers Spoke Out
Lin Chung's sudden death was heartbreaking for everyone involved with the event. Vicky Venture, one of its organizers, reacted like this. Per The Southampton Press, Venture sadly said, "Our sport of triathlon lost a member of our beloved community. We extend our deepest condolences to the athlete's family and friends and we offer them our support as they go through this unimaginable time. We also thank the lifeguards and first responders on scene for their assistance." Venture also asked that Lin Chung's family be given privacy as they deal with this terrible loss.
Valiant Efforts Were Made To Revive Lin Chung
One of those who was also vying in the event pitched in to rescue Lin Chung. Bill Hughes saw frantic activity in the water. A lifeguard atop a paddleboard was evidently attempting to hoist Chung from the water.
Hughes recalled, "We got him up on the paddleboard and then we — it was me and several women, I think the wave right before me must have been mostly women, we were kicking as hard as we could to try to keep him on the paddleboard."
He added, "The lifeguard was doing CPR, chest compressions and turning him on his side and we were all working really hard to keep him from falling off the wet board. All credit to that lifeguard, I don't know who the man was but it was a heroic effort by him."
