Noosa Triathlon death: Athlete dies during swim leg of 2023 event

The Noosa Triathlon organiser has spoken out about medical support following the tragic death of a Victorian competitor at the popular event.

Noosa Triathlon is one of the major events that could be impacted by tomorrow's Noosa Council major events vote.

The Noosa Triathlon organiser has detailed the event’s medical safeguards following the tragic death of a competitor.

A 53-year-old man died during the swim leg of the 40th anniversary Noosa Triathlon on Sunday, November 5.

The man from Beaumaris, Victoria, was pulled from the water about 7.50am at Main Beach, Noosa Heads, after he was found unresponsive by fellow athletes.

The incident happened towards the end of the swim leg and fellow competitors tried desperately to save the man’s life but he was declared dead at the scene.

CPR was started on the man and paramedics were on scene but the man was unable to be revived.

FILE IMAGE: The man died during the swim leg of the 2023 Noosa Triathlon.

A Noosa Triathlon spokesman said the number of competitors in the yearly event had remained unchanged for years.

“It has been at its current size for more than a decade now, with the event at capacity and quickly selling out each year,” he said.

The spokesman said the triathlon had a comprehensive safety plan that was developed with other organisations including the Queensland Ambulance Service, the Queensland Police Service and the Noosa Hospital.

FILE IMAGE: The event organiser says the Noosa Triathlon has been at capacity for competitors for years. Picture: Warren Lynam

“For the swim element this includes Surf Life Saving Australia boards and IRBs on the water, along with ambulances on the beach and other medical response vehicles able to reach all areas of the event footprint,” he said.

“For the Noosa Triathlon the event team creates two fully equipped medical triage facilities which are staffed by doctors, nurses, QAS and our third-party medical supplier Assist First Aid.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the man’s sudden death was being treated as non-suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said crews were called about 7.50am.

A Noosa Triathlon spokesman said the organisation was “deeply saddened to confirm the death of a race participant from today’s Noosa Triathlon”.

“The athlete received immediate aid by fellow athletes towards the end of the swim before being extracted from the water for continued medical assistance by water safety and medical personnel,” the spokesman said.

“Our condolences go out to the athlete’s family and friends, whom we will continue to offer our support.”

The spokesman thanked fellow competitors who stopped to try and save the man’s life, as well as first responders and paramedics.

“Out of respect for the athlete and their family we will have no further comment at this time,” the spokesman said.

The tragic incident came after Ashleigh Gentle had earlier claimed a record 10th title at the 40th anniversary edition of the Garmin Noosa Triathlon, while Kiwi Hayden Wilde won his first in a new course best time.

In November, 2004 amateur athlete Peter Semos was pronounced dead on arrival at Noosa Hospital after an incident during the event.

The 37-year-old died despite the best efforts of staff at the event.

In September, 2014, another tragedy struck endurance racing in the region after the death of 39-year-old Peter Farlecas.

The father-of-three from Ormond, Victoria, was pulled unconscious from the swim leg of the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon at Mooloolaba and tragically died at the scene, despite efforts to save him.

In 2016 the Sunshine Coast Daily reported that of the 110 recorded deaths in Ironman triathlon since 1985, more than 80 per cent had been males over the age of 30.

The Noosa Triathlon festival website states the event hosts more than 13,000 competitors over the five days with tens of thousands of spectators in attendance each year.

Updates to come.