Death of triathlete who went missing while swimming during amber rainstorm prompts calls for stricter safety measures

A man died after going missing during the swim leg of a triathlon held under an amber rainstorm warning, prompting calls for stricter safety measures during bad weather. Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. The 59-year-old, who took part in the Summer Triathlon Challenge in Tai Mei Tuk on Sunday, went missing during the swimming portion of the race, according to the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong China. The association said in a statement that he did not complete the swimming portion within the expected time frame. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at around 7am. The man was found 150 metres offshore after an eight-hour search operation, according to the association’s statement. He was rushed to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, according to media reports, and pronounced dead at 3.33pm. Tai Mei Tuk. Photo: Leisure and Cultural Services Department. “Regrettably, despite emergency resuscitation efforts, he passed away,” the Chinese statement said. ”The organisers express their deepest condolences regarding the participant’s tragic passing and extend their sincere sympathies to his family,” it added. Local media reported that the deceased was Ma Chi-po, a retired marine police officer. According to race information, Ma’s event included a 1,500m swim, a 30km cycling section, and an 8km run. Calls for caution Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Monday, lawmaker Vincent Cheng said that organisers should take into account weather conditions such as thunderstorm warnings and wind speeds when deciding whether to proceed with a race. He also suggested that local organisers take reference from overseas competitions that provide participants with location trackers. People enter the water at Shek O beach, in Hong Kong, on September 9, 2024. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Nick Wu, vice-chairman of Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards’ Union, said on the same programme that local triathlons could give swimmers safety buoys to wear around their waists, similar to practices in competitions held in mainland China and overseas. He said that safety comes before any potential hindrance on swimming performance, adding that the arrangement would be fair if all swimmers are required to wear them. The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the amber rainstorm warning at 6.10am. It was cancelled at 1pm. In replies to media enquiries, the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong China said the event would be cancelled if the red or black rainstorm warning or typhoon signal no.3 was in effect for two hours before a race. If the red or black rainstorm warning or thunderstorm warning are issued during a race, the organiser may delay, modify, or terminate the race depending on the situation, the association said. The organisers deployed 22 lifeguards, two patrol speedboats, and 10 kayaks around the race venue, it added. Safeguard press freedom; keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps Make a one-off donation. James Lee is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in culture and social issues. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he witnessed the institution’s transformation over the course of the 2019 extradition bill protests and after the passing of the Beijing-imposed security law. Since joining HKFP in 2023, he has covered local politics, the city’s housing crisis, as well as landmark court cases including the 47 democrats national security trial. He was previously a reporter at The Standard where he interviewed pro-establishment heavyweights and extensively covered the Covid-19 pandemic and Hong Kong’s political overhauls under the national security law. More by James Lee