Just wanted to pass along the links to my triathlon deaths series.
Three triathletes have been pulled from the Gulf of Mexico during triathlons during the last two years. All subsequently died. I took a look into who these people were, what happened on those fateful days and how it could be prevented.
Enjoy.
Tri-accidental tragedy Part I: Triple tragedy
Tri-accidental tragedy Part II: Health matters in deaths
Tri-accidental tragedy Part II: Gulf risks threaten swimmers
When Chris Boozer woke up the morning of Nov. 3, two things were on his mind.
First, he wanted to have a good day at Ironman Florida.
Second, he was concerned about his bike.
Boozer had to leave the engagement ring he was going to give to girlfriend Laura Thomas after both finished the race with his bike overnight.
“I had one of the most expensive bikes,” he said. “I was saying a few prayers coming out of the water.
Dorothy Barnett-Griffin, the 43-year-old woman from Lucas, Texas pulled from the Gulf of Mexico during Ironman Florida on Nov. 3, died Thursday evening at Bay Medical Center.
She was 43.
Barnett-Griffin is the second triathlete in two years to die after being pulled out of the water behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort. Last year, Montana resident Barney Rice died from drowning, three days after he was found floating in the gulf.
Barnett-Griffin, a registered nurse, was an organ donor.
Read the rest of this entry »
The woman pulled from Gulf of Mexico during Ironman Florida has been identified as 43-year-old Dorothy Griffin from Allen, Texas.
She was listed in critical condition in sthe Bay Medical Center surgical intensive care unit, hospital officials said Thursday.
Griffin was rescued from the water behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort toward the end of the 2.4-mile swim leg. She was one of the last swimmers in the water and was conversing with rescue crews in kayaks when she rolled over and asked for help. She was rushed by ambulance to BMC.
According to the Ironman Web site, Griffin is a registered nurse. Griffin’s family has chose not to comment on her condition.
By Josh Weinfuss
News Herald Writer
747-5069 / jweinfuss@pcnh.com
PANAMA CITY BEACH
The breakfast of champions isn’t Wheaties at Ironman Florida.
Professional triathlete Paul Fritzsche goes against common belief amongst triathletes and likes to have something solid for breakfast.
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