Surf lifesaving member in his 60s tragically dies at Fannie Bay Swim Classic

UPDATE: The wife of the man who tragically passed away at the Fannie Bay Swim Classic has shared her love for the man who “completed” her.

A male surf lifesaving member in his 60s who participated in the Fannie Bay Swim Classic has tragically died.

• ‘WE’RE ALL IN SHOCK’: Participant in Fannie Bay Swim passes away

UPDATE: THE Top End’s swimming community has been left reeling after the shock death of a participant during the Fannie Bay Swim Classic on Sunday.

Peter Stewart, who served as a committee member of the Darwin Surf Life Saving Club alongside his wife Sharon, was pulled from the water unconscious during the event.

Surf lifesavers worked to resuscitate Mr Stewart, aged in his 60s, and emergency services were on the scene within 15 minutes, however he couldn’t be revived.

His wife posted to social media on Sunday night, paying tribute to the “person who completed me”.

“I would like to thank all those involved who tried to revive the love of my life,” Ms Stewart said.

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club president Ray Hall was in tears recalling the attempts to save Mr Stewart’s life.

“He was found by swimmers. Water Safety got to him immediately and someone was doing CPR on the rubber ducky on the way in at the end of the shore. They were both medical people, got to shore and were inundated by doctors,” he said.

“(There was) fantastic care immediately.”

Peter Stewart.

Mr Hall said Mr Stewart’s wife, daughter and their family were in attendance and that he was a treasured member of the community.

“We’re all in shock, (his) family are all here and we’re all giving them support,’ he said.

“We’re really sad.

“It’s a shock. We do a lot of lifesaving type activities but when you actually have to actually do it, it’s a real rarity and when it doesn’t turn out well it’s a real shame.”

Police, ambulance crews and surf life saving crews began attending at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club at around 11.30am.

Tents were set up along the beach with sheets to shield the public from view.

The Darwin Surf Life Saving Club released a statement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon.

“This morning during the annual Fannie Bay Swim Classic a much loved male surf lifesaving member aged in his 60s was observed to be in distress during the swim,” the statement read.

“Surf lifesaving members immediately went to the assistance of the member and commenced CPR. Tragically and despite the immediate response and best efforts of Lifesavers, bystanders and emergency services, the member could not be revived and sadly passed away.

“Darwin Surf Life Saving Club and Surf Life Saving Northern Territory offer our sincere condolences and thoughts to the members family and Darwin life saving community. Thank you to the members of the public that assisted with the rescue.”

A swimmer, who did not want to be named, finished his race at the same time as the rescue attempt began to unfold, and stepped in to help administer CPR.

“CPR was carried out for about 30 minutes, first by the surf lifesavers with some of the equipment they had,” he said.

EARLIER: THE ANNUAL Fannie Bay Swim Classic has ended in tragedy for a man in his 60s, who suffered a medical episode in the water and died despite the best efforts of first responders.

The Darwin Surf Life Saving Club released a statement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon.

“This morning during the annual Fannie Bay Swim Classic a much loved male surf lifesaving member aged in his 60s was observed to be in distress during the swim,” the statement read.

“Surf lifesaving members immediately went to the assistance of the member and commenced CPR. Tragically and despite the immediate response and best efforts of Lifesavers, bystanders and emergency services, the member could not be revived and sadly passed away.

“Darwin Surf Life Saving Club and Surf Life Saving Northern Territory offer our sincere condolences and thoughts to the members family and Darwin lifesaving community. Thank you to the members of the public that assisted with the rescue.”

The scene at the Trailer Boat club after a man passed away during the Fannie Bay Swim Classic.

A swimmer who did not want to be named finished his race at the same time as the rescue attempt began to unfold, and helped to administer CPR.

He said after a swimmer next to him bumped into the man – who was unconscious – in the water, surf lifesavers brought him to shore where attempts were made to resuscitate him.

“CPR was carried out for about 30 minutes, first by the surf lifesavers with some of the equipment they had,” he said.

“There were also a lot of health professionals present who were helping, which is great.”

The swimmer said the man’s family became aware of the situation after five or 10 minutes.

“That was probably when it got hardest for people on the beach,” he said.

“It got very emotional by the end there was a lot of crying and tears.”

MORE TOP NEWS

Cops seek ‘persons of interest’ after last-ditch police pursuit

‘Save their lives’: Gosling pleads for federal govt to aid Afghans who helped Aussie soldiers

Tributes flow for ‘inspirational’ NT artist, Traditional Owner

“One of the things that’s both unfortunate and fortunate was, it happened in a crowded area where there’s a lot of people who can help, but with that also comes a lot of young kids and it was right in front of the whole finish area so there’s a lot of exposure.

While tragically the surf lifesaving member could not be revived, the swimmer said he didn’t think twice about helping with CPR.

“It just happens and you don’t really know what to do other than the things we have been told throughout our lives,” he said.

“First aid is something Australians get some lessons about, but you don’t really know when you’re gonna need those skills until something happens.”

Follow @leesaulrobinson 

  

Originally published as Surf lifesaving member in his 60s tragically dies at Fannie Bay Swim Classic