Camarines Sur – A business executive and cousin of Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal died while competing in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines Sunday, marking the first reported death of a Filipino triathlete.

Juan Miguel Vazquez, 52, president of Permanent Plans Inc., expired after negotiating the 1.9-kilometer swim leg at the man-made lake. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., president of the organizing Sunrise Events Inc., said he’s saddened by the death of Vazquez, whom he considers a personal friend.

“Our deepest condolences to the family who have been informed of this tragedy. Just recently Miguel joined us in an open-water swim in Batangas,” said Uytengsu, also the Alaska Milk Corporation president and CEO.

“Unfortunately, those of us in endurance events (such as triathlon), know that deaths do occur and almost all of them do happen in the swim leg. This is always a risk but whenever it does happen, it is deeply saddening,” he added.

Uytengsu, however, offered little on the circumstances of Vasquez’s death.

Vasquez is a first cousin of Senator Madrigal. His mother, Ma. Luisa “Ising” Madrigal-Vasquez, is the sister of the senator’s father Antonio Madrigal.

A witness said he saw Vasquez swim to shore and slump down on side and collapse, according to website Spot.ph.

“He looked like he was resting,” said the witness, “but after a while he looked like he had stiffened and had stopped moving. It took about 20 minutes before anyone noticed anything was wrong and before the paramedics and the ambulance came.”

Vazquez was a member of Team Alamat that was competing in the relay event. He was the first to plunge into action.

His teammate Johann Espiritu, assigned in the 90-kilometer bike leg, was waiting for him to pass the strap-on-chip but Vazquez never showed up.

It was speculated but not yet confirmed that he died of heart attack.

Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte expressed his condolences to the family of Vasquez.

“It was a very unfortunate incident that we wished did not happen. We know how physically demanding this sport is,” Villafuerte said.

Villefuerte said around 2,000 people volunteered to assist in the race, while first-aid stations and ambulances were put in strategic locations.

He said they were ready for emergencies like this as around 2,000 people volunteered to assist in the race. First-aid stations and ambulances were also put in strategic locations and a helicopter, which takes aerial videos and snapshots, can also be used as an emergency vehicle.

Vasquez graduated salutatorian of the Ateneo Law School Class of 1986. He is married to Judy Duavit, a sister of Jimmy Duavit of GMA 7.

Despite the tragedy, the international event went ahead as scheduled. More than 500 signed up in the race that required participants to swim 1.9 kilometers, bike 90 kilometers and run 21.09 kilometers.

Death in endurance events is not uncommon.

Early this month, American triathlete John Carr, was struck and killed by a vehicle during a triathlon event in the United States.

A spectator was reportedly also killed during the Camarines Sur triathlon after being hit by a bike, but it could not be independently confirmed.

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See also:

Bozzone Ironman champion