Two male athletes have died after suffering separate medical emergencies during the swim leg of the Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay triathlon on Sunday, 16 November 2025. The Ironman Mossel Bay deaths were confirmed by organisers in a statement posted on social media.
According to Ironman South Africa, safety personnel responded to two incidents about 15 minutes apart during the swim. One athlete was pulled from the water at around 400 metres and the second at approximately 1 000 metres. Both were taken to a designated extraction point for urgent care. They were then transported to hospital in separate ambulances, but neither survived.
Mossel Bay police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies said two inquest dockets had been opened after the deaths of men aged 29 and 58. He said the men, believed to be participants in the event, were retrieved from the water at about 7:40. They were taken to a nearby medical facility, where one was declared dead on arrival. The other died later.
Organisers, Police Probe Ironman Mossel Bay Deaths
Ironman South Africa described the Ironman Mossel Bay deaths as a tragedy for the triathlon community on the Garden Route. “Our hearts go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and together with the triathlon community we mourn the loss of two fellow athletes,” the organisation said. They also added that support will be offered to the families.
The race, held as an Ironman 70.3 event in Mossel Bay, was meant to be a celebratory occasion but ended under a cloud of grief. Organisers also thanked safety and emergency teams for their rapid response. They attempted to save the athletes, according to the statement.
Police have confirmed that postmortem examinations will be conducted later this week to determine the causes of death. Further details, including the identities of the athletes and the precise nature of the medical emergencies, have not yet been released.
Ironman SA and Police on the Tragedy
Ironman South Africa has publicly expressed condolences and committed to ongoing support for the families affected by the Ironman Mossel Bay deaths. The organisation has not yet provided additional detail beyond its initial statement.
Mossel Bay police say their investigation continues under two inquest dockets. Authorities have not released the names of the athletes. They have given no indication of when the postmortem findings will be made public.
