Two men who died in Ironman swim in Cork named locally
20/08/2023 : Aerial shots from the start of the swim at the Youghal Ironman 2023. Credit Tri Coach Bjorn
The two athletes who died taking part in the 1.9km swim discipline during the 70.3km Ironman event in Youghal on Sunday have been maned locally as Ivan Chittendon from Toronto and Brendan Wall, who is originally from Co Meath but was living in Solihull in the UK.
Post mortems are due to be carried out today.
Gardaí confirmed yesterday that one of the deceased was in his 60s and one was in his 40s.
The Ironman 70.3 event, due to take place in Youghal on Saturday, was postponed due to the aftermath of Storm Betty and moved to Sunday.
The two men were among several thousand participants who entered the water in Youghal on Sunday morning, with the full Ironman race also taking place.
Ironman Ireland said that they were “deeply saddened to confirm the death of two race participants at the Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork 2023”.
“During the swim portion of Sunday’s race, safety personnel provided immediate medical attention upon recognising the athletes were in need of assistance,” a statement read.
“We share our greatest sympathies with the families and friends of the athletes and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. We thank the safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athletes with medical assistance.”
Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard was among the thousands of spectators who turned out to support the some 3,000 athletes for what should have been a happy day for all involved.
Ms Sheppard, whose husband Eamonn was competing in the half triathlon, said the atmosphere completely changed as word got around about the tragedies.
“Word was getting around during the race,” she told . “People were wondering if either of the men were their own loved ones. They were asking ‘have I seen him in the race?’, ‘Is he on the bike?’ ‘Is it somebody that I know?’ It is unbelievable and terrible.
"It’s just such a tragedy on what should have been such an amazing day for Cork East. To have two fatalities like that is just such a tragedy. I was saying to my own mother that none of us ever think this will be us. However, this could be any of us here with a competitor in the race,” Ms Sheppard continued.
She extended her condolences to the families of those who died during this difficult time.
Cork County Council also issued a statement in response to the tragedies yesterday.
“Cork County Council is deeply saddened over the tragic loss of two race participants during the Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork 2023 event in Youghal.
"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected, and we are currently offering every assistance required to the Ironman Group and all those impacted.
“We wish to express our gratitude to the response agencies involved, including our dedicated Fire and Emergency personnel, for their unwavering efforts during this this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Youghal RNLI, who provided assistance to one of the victims, released a statement in relation to the incident. They said they were diverted from a training exercise in Youghal Harbour on Sunday morning at approximately 8am “after receiving a call for immediate assistance by a safety boat supporting a sporting event”.
“The volunteer lifeboat crew arrived at the location within minutes and a casualty who had been taken from the water by the safety boat team was transferred to the lifeboat.
“The lifeboat immediately proceeded to the event’s designated Medical Extraction Point, where the casualty was transferred to the care of local Coast Guard and medical personnel.”
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