Ironman 70.3 participant dies

Photo from Ironman 70.3 Facebook

(UPDATED)

DAVAO CITY—A participant in the Ironman 70.3 race here on Sunday has died, race organizers have confirmed.

“The athlete required medical attention during the swim portion of the race and was transported to a nearby hospital,” read Alveo Ironman Davao’s post on Facebook.

Local reports have identified the fatality as 49-year-old Jerry Kasim, a veteran swimming coach who hails from Davao.

Kasim’s reported passing comes at a time when a spectator from Panabo City figured in a collision with an athlete during the bike leg of the endurance contest.

Gerald Tayag, 18, a resident of Barangay San Vicente in Panabo, attempted to pickup a water container in the hope of preventing any further accidents.

The teen was hit by Ralph Bautista, according to a dispatch from the Panabo City Fire Station.

The race organizers have begged off from providing more information on the two incidents but assured that they have reached out to the families of both the late racer and the injured spectator.