aQuelle Midmar Mile A 63-year-old swimmer died after suffering a cardiac arrest during Sunday’s aQuellé Midmar Mile at Midmar Dam.
Image: LeonLestrade
A 63-year-old participant died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the aQuellé Midmar Mile at Midmar Dam in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, February 8.
Race organisers said the swimmer got into difficulty while in the water during the popular open-water event.
Another participant alerted officials, triggering an immediate emergency response. Safety and medical teams reached the woman in the dam and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation before bringing her to shore.
ER24 paramedics and doctors on site continued advanced life-saving treatment. After remaining in cardiac arrest despite prolonged resuscitation efforts, she was transported to Life Hilton Hospital for further medical care.
She was later declared dead.
Organisers said the event’s emergency and water safety plans were implemented according to established procedures.
“The safety of all participants remains the foremost priority of the event,” organisers said in a statement.
They conveyed their condolences to the swimmer’s family and loved ones and said no further personal information would be released out of respect for their privacy.
The incident cast a sombre mood over the Midmar Mile, one of the world’s largest open-water swimming events, with the swimming community also offering support to those affected.