Tragedy Strikes At Annual Hong Kong Cross-Harbor Race: One Dead, One Injured

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association hosted their annual cross-harbour swim this past Saturday (October 15th), with tragedy being a central figure.

Reports from the South China Morning Post tell of a 46-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman being pulled out of the water unconscious close to the finish line at Quarry Bay Park.

Both were sent to the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where the woman was admitted to intensive care and the man was pronounced dead. The death marks the first casualty since Hong Kong resumed the race in 2011. The race had previously been on a three-decade hiatus due to rising concerns about pollution in the water.

Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, president of the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, commented, “we are very saddened by the news, and will do whatever possible to help the family get through this difficult time.”

He went on to explain that lifeguard boat had been posted at 30-meter intervals so that each section of the swim would be covered. Both individuals were part of the race’s leisure category, which mandated that every individual wear an orange tow float. Additional reports show that the weather was reportedly warm and sunny with temperatures floating around 27 degrees Celsius (80F).

Although not a sanctioned FINA event, the organization has released a statement, noting that they [FINA] “will be conducting a thorough review of the incident and the overall safety and organization of future outdoor mass participation events.”

American Chip Peterson and Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal were the champions of the 2016 Hong Kong Harbor swim.

Read more from the South China Morning Post here.

FULL FINA STATEMENT BELOW:

FINA is very sad to hear of the unfortunate incident which led to the death of a swimmer during the Hong Kong Cross-Harbour open water race on Sunday. Our deepest sympathies go out to the swimmer’s family.

The Hong Kong Cross-Harbour open water race, which is not a FINA event, has been successfully organised for many years. However, as a result of this unfortunate incident, working closely with The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association and other National Federations around the world organising the mass participation event, we will be conducting a thorough review of the incident and the overall safety and organisation of future outdoor mass participation events.

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Teresa Tomita

7 years ago

Sad ?

Thomas A. Small

7 years ago

That’s awful