U.S. long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad swims
U.S. long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad swims on her way to Florida as she departs from Havana September 23, 2011. Nyad jumped feet first into Cuba's azure waters on Friday in her latest attempt to become the first person to swim from the communist island to Florida without a shark cage. Nyad, 62, tried to make the 103-mile (166-km) crossing of the Florida Straits last month but was thwarted by asthma, shoulder pain and heavy seas. REUTERS/Enrique De La Osa (CUBA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING SOCIETY) Reuters

Officials stated that a 39 year old male competing in the Ironman race had died from a suspected heart attack. Bystanders tried to save the man who fell unconscious in the water during the triathlon but were unable to. Peter Farlecas is a father of three children and an IT consultant. In the Ironman race held on Queensland's Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. The competitors were required to swim after which they were to take part in a 90 kilometre bike ride and a 21.1-kilometre run after which the triathlon would be completed.

During the triathlon the Farlecas is suspected to have had a heart attack during the 1.9-kilometre swim leg in the Pacific Ocean surf off Mooloolaba. Farlecas had undergone training for six months to be able to compete in the event which was his first. While taking part spectators found him face down in the surf, reported Daily Mail.

A witness told Nine News that four guys stripped off and ran in, they then waved their hands summoning for help and stood there waiting for a boat.

The event's medical team tried to save Farlecas by performing CPR but half an hour later he was pronounced dead. Ironman Asia Pacific chief executive Geoff Meyer confirmed that the man, Peter Farlecas suffered from a suspected heart attack during the swim stage of the Ironman 70.3 event at about 7:30am on Sunday. He was from Victoria State and he also informed the media that his team worked on the gentleman for over half an hour, they did an amazing job but were unable to bring him back. "The thoughts from the medical team were that it was a heart attack," he said.

"It's been a real tragedy we have had a death in the swim today," Mr Meyer said. He stated that he had lost a lot of weight while training for the event. Mr Meyer and his team tried to help the family as much as they could.

The race, however, stated Meyer went on normally. Nine News reported that the man was competing with 15 other persons who were all his colleagues from an IT systems availability business. They found out about his death only after they finished the race.

He said that there was going to be a lot of sadness around, family and friends and they are trying to help them to the best of their ability.

Police have confirmed that the death is not suspicious, but investigation is still being conducted. Ironman Asia Pacific has also stated that they too will look into it and find out if the new protocol was followed properly.

The next event is set to be held in Port Macquarie, north of Sydney on October 19.