One 46-year-old male in the Great North Swim at Windermere this past Saturday passed away. The cause of the death is not known at the time it was reported to the media. A day later, another 60-year-old reportedly stopped breathing during the swim, but was revived and airlifted to a hospital in Newcastle.

With upwards to 10,000 swimmers taking to England’s largest lake, the safety personnel had their hands full maintaining a safe and entertaining event.

“Nova International deeply regrets the tragic loss of life at the Great North Swim and offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the individual concerned,” a statement from the event organizer said.

Speaking about the Sunday incident, a spokesman from the Great North Air Ambulance said: “The man had suffered a cardiac arrest, his heart was not beating and he was not breathing. The Pride of Cumbria helicopter responded to a call from the North West Ambulance Service and arrived at the scene. Doctors from the charity managed to resuscitate the patient and he was anaesthetized before being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.” His condition has been described as stable.

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source