One dead, one hospitalised after Hong Kong cross-harbour swim race
Deceased pulled unconscious from water and another swimmer in intensive care in hospital
At least one swimmer drowned and another was hospitalised in intensive care following the annual cross-harbour swim yesterday.
A 46-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the water near the finish line at Quarry Bay Park on eastern Hong Kong Island at about 9.30am. A woman, 59, was separately rescued by lifeguards 15 minutes earlier.
Both were sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. The woman was admitted to the intensive care unit.
We are very saddened by the news, and will do whatever possible to help the family get through this difficult time
The death was the first casualty since the race resumed in 2011 after a three-decade hiatus due to concerns about water pollution.
Organiser Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association said there were sufficient lifeguards for the event, but added it would seek “room for improvement”.
“We are very saddened by the news, and will do whatever possible to help the family get through this difficult time,” president Ronnie Wong Man-chiu said.
He said lifeguard boats lined the race course at 30m intervals, each patrolling a section of the water to cover the entire route. Both the man and the woman took part in the race’s leisure category, which mandated the wearing of an orange tow float.