Swimmer, 65, dies after he was pulled unconscious from the ocean while competing in the Pier to Pub race
- 65-year-old man died while competing in a swimming event in western Victoria
- Paramedics called but were unable to resuscitate him and he died at the scene
- The man, from the town of Beeac, was one of 5,000 competitors at the event
- 1.2km course in Lorne is billed as the largest ocean water swim in the world
A 65-year-old man has died while competing in a swimming event in western Victoria.
The Beeac man was pulled from the water during the Lorne Pier to Pub open water swimming event in Victoria about 2.45pm on Saturday.
Paramedics were called but they were unable to resucitate him and he died at the scene.
A 65-year-old man has died while competing in the Lorne Pier to Pub swimming event in western Victoria (crowd pictured)
In a statement, the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club said its thoughts were with the family and friends of the competitor, from Beeac.
‘The Lorne Surf Life Saving Club is saddened to hear of the passing of a 65-year-old male competitor at today’s Lorne Pier to Pub, despite the best efforts to revive him from life savers and paramedics,’ the statement reads.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the competitor. We ask media to respect the family’s privacy at this stage and no further comment will be made from the Lorne SLSC.’
Police will prepare a report for the coroner on the man’s death.
The event bills itself as the largest ocean water swim in the world, attracting about 5000 competitors and 15,000 spectators.
The race starts at Lorne Pier and finishes on the foreshore in front of the Lorne Surf Lifesaving Club house.
The event bills itself as the largest ocean water swim in the world, attracting about 5000 competitors and 15,000 spectators