Innsbrook Tragedy
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
I don't know her name but she was amazing and I will never forget her. I am speaking about the Ultramax volunteer that ran into the lake and started screaming at 100 guys to make a human line in order to find a competitor that had gone under. When we heard that someone went down, we all swam over to help. That was our natural reaction - jump in and help a fellow competitor. Her natural reaction was to lead. She was unbelievable. She yelled at 100 guys and got them to act efficiently. Without her quick thinking and direction we never would have located Kevin. If Kevin would have made it then everyone would be calling this woman a hero - that is what she truly is.
Every competitor was affected by this past weekend's tragedy. It was a very real situation with the worst possible outcome. It was life altering being part of the large group of racers that jumped in to try to find Kevin. I can't explain it, there was just something incredible about so many competitors coming to the aid of a fallen athlete. There was also something devastating about losing a fellow triathlete.
I did not know Kevin but he was one of us.
Letter from Mark Livesay...
I know most of you that participated in our events this past weekend already know about the tragedy that occurred.
Many lives were changed on Saturday and the past couple days have been so difficult for many people. My staff and the wonderful volunteers involved with the event have been consumed with sadness. We so appreciate the supportive e-mails and notes you all have forwarded on to us.
I know in my heart that all of you have Kevin, his family, and friends at the forefront of your thoughts and prayers. Our entire staff at the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation joins you and the family in mourning.
I want to personally thank all of you that got involved with helping at the scene. I know this was something that all of us would do for any athlete that was in trouble. The entire multi-sport community just seems to be connected that way. This special personal connection is also what makes times like this so difficult.
I’m very proud of my staff, volunteers, racers and the emergency team(s) we had available. They all worked so hard and did everything that could be done to save Kevin’s life.
As an athlete, like all of you, I know we must understand the risks associated with this sport we all love. We pursue the sport with such passion and drive, but sometimes those risks just seem so distant. When something like this happens it greatly impacts everything we do.
The past few days have been the saddest of my life. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family. I hope and pray that they can recover from this life changing tragedy.
This was an incredibly difficult note for me to write to you. I felt it was so important that I personally let you all know.
Please feel free to contact me directly at any time!
http://us.f386.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Mark@ultramaxtri.com
Every competitor was affected by this past weekend's tragedy. It was a very real situation with the worst possible outcome. It was life altering being part of the large group of racers that jumped in to try to find Kevin. I can't explain it, there was just something incredible about so many competitors coming to the aid of a fallen athlete. There was also something devastating about losing a fellow triathlete.
I did not know Kevin but he was one of us.
Letter from Mark Livesay...
I know most of you that participated in our events this past weekend already know about the tragedy that occurred.
Many lives were changed on Saturday and the past couple days have been so difficult for many people. My staff and the wonderful volunteers involved with the event have been consumed with sadness. We so appreciate the supportive e-mails and notes you all have forwarded on to us.
I know in my heart that all of you have Kevin, his family, and friends at the forefront of your thoughts and prayers. Our entire staff at the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation joins you and the family in mourning.
I want to personally thank all of you that got involved with helping at the scene. I know this was something that all of us would do for any athlete that was in trouble. The entire multi-sport community just seems to be connected that way. This special personal connection is also what makes times like this so difficult.
I’m very proud of my staff, volunteers, racers and the emergency team(s) we had available. They all worked so hard and did everything that could be done to save Kevin’s life.
As an athlete, like all of you, I know we must understand the risks associated with this sport we all love. We pursue the sport with such passion and drive, but sometimes those risks just seem so distant. When something like this happens it greatly impacts everything we do.
The past few days have been the saddest of my life. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family. I hope and pray that they can recover from this life changing tragedy.
This was an incredibly difficult note for me to write to you. I felt it was so important that I personally let you all know.
Please feel free to contact me directly at any time!
http://us.f386.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Mark@ultramaxtri.com
