Competitor, local attorney in Ironman 70.3 Augusta dies during swim portion of event

Officials are investigating the death of an Ironman 70.3 Augusta competitor Sunday.

Coroner Mark Bowen reported the death via email on Sunday. Local attorney George Hall, 60, of Martinez, was swimming in the Savannah River in the 1.2-mile first leg of the race when the incident occurred.

Augusta Fire & EMA tweeted later in the day that a water rescue member on a personal watercraft assisted in pulling Hall out of the water and began performing life saving measures. Hall was then put on a boat where firefighters and EMTs continued giving aid. Once the boat reached the dock, he was moved to a stretcher and aid was transferred to an ambulance crew.

Bowen said Hall was sent to Augusta University Medical Center and pronounced dead at 8:41 a.m.

An autopsy is scheduled at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation early this week.

Ironman was asked for comment, and while they did not provide further details on the incident, the organization said in an emailed statement that they have the “greatest sympathies with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time.”

Jozsef Papp contributed to this report.