City of Edmonton faces multi-million dollar lawsuit after death at 2014 ITU World Triathlon Edmonton

According to CBC, the City of Edmonton faces a $3 million lawsuit for the death of a competitor in the 2014 World Triathlon race that hosted world championships that year.

According to a statement filed after the incident, 59-year-old Ramon Rivera from Puerto Rico was an accomplished and highly-capable triathlete when he came for the event. He suffered a heart attack in the water at Hawrelak Lake and reports say there were not enough life-guards nearby to save him after a bystander noticed him floating in the water. Rivera later died in the hospital.

The athlete’s widow and two daughters are suing the City of Edmonton for negligence citing not enough life-guards or competent spotters at the event and a lack of ambulances or medical personnel nearby. They are seeking more than $3 million in damages. The International Triathlon Union is also named as a defendant.

According to the CBC story, “allegations have not been proven in court and a statement of defence has not yet been filed.”

With files from Scott Stevenson, CBC News.