PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Tragedy struck during the highly popular Otter African Trail Run last week when one of the Otter Challenge participants collapsed and died about 2km from the finish line.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Cpt Malcolm Pojie said that the incident happened at about 17:25 on 6 October.
He said it is believed that the participant, a 34-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal collapsed close to the Storm's River near the border between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
"Attempts made by paramedics to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he was declared deceased on the scene. The body of the deceased had to be airlifted and transported by helicopter to be handed over to [police] forensic pathology services," Pojie said.
Storms River police have opened an inquest docket for further investigation. The cause of death was not known by the time of going to print.
Organisers of the event extended condolences to the participant's friends and family.
"The tragic incident is the first such occurrence in the event's 14-year history. Participant safety is always the Otter African Trail Run's primary concern and as such, the heart-breaking news is felt acutely throughout the race village," they said in a statement.
Read more on sister publication, Knysna-Plett Herald
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