A Smyrna man died Saturday while competing in a triathlon on the Georgia coast.
Christopher Petty, 44, was in the swimming portion of the Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl Triathlon when he suffered an apparent cardiac arrest and was rescued from the water by event lifeguards, according to Jekyll Island Authority spokesman Eric Garvey.
The Florida Times-Union reported that rescuers performed CPR on the beach, and Petty was taken to Southeast Georgia Health System's Brunswick hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The triathlon, which is in its 10th year, typically draws about 700 competitors.
The Georgia State Patrol told the AJC Monday that an autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab to determine how Petty died.
A moment of silence was held for Petty during Sunday's ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremonies for the new $39 million Jekyll Island Convention Center.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
About the Author
