Alex Pullin dead: World reacts to Aussie Winter Olympics star’s Gold Coast tragedy

Australia is in shock after the tragic drowning death of former snowboarding world champion Alex Pullin on the Gold Coast.

Australia and the sporting world has been left devastated by the tragic death of Olympic hero Alex “Chumpy” Pullin.

The 32-year-old high-profile champion snowboarder died in a spearfishing tragedy on the Gold Coast today in a heartbreaking ordeal for his family, who are reported to have been on the sand at Palm Beach at the time.

Pullin, a two-time world champion, is reported to have been found unresponsive on the bottom of the ocean floor by a snorkeller before a lifeguard on shore was alerted by a group of local surfers.

He was dragged from the surf on the back of a lifeguard’s jet ski. After 45 minutes with paramedics on shore, he could not be revived.

The shocking circumstances of the star athlete’s death have left Aussie sporting commentators heart broken.

He was remembered for being a leader and popular member of the Aussie team — as much as he was for his incredible achievements on the slopes.

“This is so so awful. Chumpy Pullin was a great athlete but an even better person. Tragic,” Network 10 reporter Annie Kearner posted on Twitter.

Her devastation was shared by the entire Aussie sporting community.

Australian snowboarder and silver medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Jarryd Hughes, tweeted: “Extremely shocked and saddened to hear the news of Chumpy’s passing. Chumpy was a huge part of the Australian Winter team and will be sorely missed. It was an honour to be teammates and have raced alongside you. Sending my condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. RIP.”

I can’t believe this terrible news - one of the nicest humans I’ve ever met -very sad news condolences to the friends and family of Alex Chumpy Pullin what a tragedy way to young 2020 can you please be over 🥺🙌🏿 #RIP https://t.co/WHWMVKvn8f

— Wendell Sailor (@RealBigDell) July 8, 2020

This Alex Pullin stuff is absolutely devastating. Thoughts go out to his family, friends and the whole snowboarding and Winter Olympics community.

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) July 8, 2020

Oh no please say the news about Chumpy Pullin is not true... #favwinterolympian

— Tamsyn Lewis Manou (@tamsynlewis) July 8, 2020

Alex Pullin. I can’t believe it. Such an incredible snowboarder. I am devastated for him and his family. Far out man. What a sad sad day. Words can’t describe. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 8, 2020

Condolences to Alex "Chumpy" Pullin's family.

— Higgo (@Higgo74) July 8, 2020

Holy moly. So sad to hear about Chumpy Pullin. Champion athlete #RIP

— Melanie Dinjaski (@MelanieDinjaski) July 8, 2020

My heart breaks for Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s family & friends. Was only getting snowboarding inspo from his Instagram page in February. A legend lost too soon. #RIP

— Katie Brown (@katiebrownaus) July 8, 2020

I am so sad to hear of the death of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin. One of the most talented Oz winter sports athletes but more importantly, a thoughtful and generous person. It was such a pleasure to know him. Thoughts with his family and loved ones. @SnowAust @OWI_AUS

— Katherine Firkin (@KatherineFirkin) July 8, 2020

The Courier-Mail first reported Pullin drowned after suffering a shallow water blackout.

The City of Gold Coast released a statement confirming the circumstances of the star’s death.

“Lifeguards provided CPR to the man until the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) arrived and took over,” the statement claimed.

A Surf Lifesaving Queensland spokeswoman has also passed on the surf community’s condolences to the Pullin family.

“The volunteer lifesavers involved have been offered peer support counselling, and this support will continue for as long as needed.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.”

Alex Pullin is being remembered as one of the great gentlemen of Australia’s winter sports program.

One of the most popular Australians in the Winter Olympic teams of 2010, 2014 and 2018, the triple-Olympian was awarded the honour of being Australia’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony for the Sochi Olympics in Russia.

Growing up in Mansfield, near the Victorian ski slopes of Mt Bulla, snow was in Pullin’s blood from an early age and he quickly became an elite-level athlete with the support of his parents.

Entering the Sochi Games as the snowboard cross world champion, Pullin was the face of Australia’s team for the 2014 event, but was cruelly knocked out in the quarter-finals of the famously chaotic sport.