Fran Crippen Dies in Dubai

American national swimming team member Fran Crippen, died in an open water swimming race October 23, 2010.

While competing in an open water swimming race in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, teammate Alex Meyer noticed Fran Crippen did not cross the line. After Meyer screamed for help, the other competing swimmers jumped back in the water to try to find Crippen. He was found unconscious near the final buoy, after two hours of searching by deep sea divers. He was rushed to the local hospital but later pronounced dead, though it was suspected he died on the scene.

It is believed he died due to heat exhaustion (which may have led to drowning) during the final lap of the race. A day before the race Crippen told his coach that he wasn’t feeling well. FINA president Dr. Julio Maglione said it was the first death in any FINA event and an investigation was opened.