Man dies while training
A man training for a triathlon has died at an Auckland aquatic centre, police say.
Emergency services responded to an incident in the east Auckland suburb of Glen Innes. The alarm was raised about 11am on Friday at the Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre.
The man, who was in his 20s, was pulled from the water unresponsive and died a short time later, a police spokeswoman said.
A witness said she understood the man was at the pool training for a triathlon. She said he suffered a heart attack and fell into the pool. Three St John Ambulance crews responded to a ‘‘water incident’’, a St John spokeswoman said. A man who was using the sauna at the time said he saw a young man lying at the side of the pool being tended to.
The witness said the man looked very pale and was being treated with a defibrillator. Customers were told to leave the complex and the alarm sounded shortly after, he said. The leisure centre is operated by YMCA on behalf of the Auckland Council.
Rob McGee, the council’s head of Active Recreation, said that despite efforts of trained lifeguards and staff the man could not be resuscitated.
‘‘In the coming days, Auckland Council will be working with staff, contractors and anyone at the pool when the incident happened to offer any support required.’’