Competitor dies in triathlon race

A man has died competing in the second stage of a triathlon in Warwickshire.

He was cycling in the Stratford-upon-Avon 220 race along the A46 Stratford Road, in Sherbourne, Warwick, at about 0940 BST on Sunday when he collapsed.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said he had had a cardiac arrest and members of the public had tried to give him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Ambulance crews and air ambulance doctors continued CPR but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

'Deepest sympathies'

The man had already completed a swim in a 33m pool at Stratford Leisure and Visitor Centre.

The competition is divided into a fun triathlon, sprint triathlon or relay triathlon sections. Entrants swim either 200m (0.12 miles) or 400m (0.24miles). In addition they are required to complete a 23km (14.2 miles) flat cycle ride and finally run either 2.5km (1.5 miles) or 5km (3.1 miles).

It is not known which section the competitor had been taking part in.

Event organiser Vic Bickerton, of UK Triathlon, said: "After 14 years of the Stratford Triathlon, the event organisers are shocked and saddened at the death of one of the competitors at the event yesterday.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the competitor's family at this time. I'd like to thank the emergency services for their swift response. Out of respect for the family we cannot comment further".