Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Renton man dies during Oregon triathlon

A Renton man participating in a triathlon in central Oregon died of a heart attack Sunday during the swim portion of the event, his family...

Seattle Times staff reporter

A Renton man participating in a triathlon in central Oregon died of a heart attack Sunday during the swim portion of the event, his family said Monday.

Patrick Findlay, 45, was in the Wickiup Reservoir around 9:40 a.m., starting the first leg of the Pacific Crest Triathlon.

That's when he felt something was wrong, said his father, Donald Findlay, of Gig Harbor.

The seasoned triathlete swam to a boat operated by an event volunteer and asked for help, police said.

Findlay, who was on the Peninsula High School swim and water-polo teams during the late 1970s, soon lost consciousness, said Sgt. Ronny Dozier, of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.

Findlay was doing the triathlon with his sister-in-law, who was waiting for him at the water's edge, said Cristina Walters, his younger sister.

She was wondering where he was. "This should have been the strongest part of the triathlon for him."

Instead, assistants lifted him onto a Jet Ski and rushed him to the boat ramp, Dozier said. Once on shore, he was given CPR, which continued until medics arrived.

But they were unable to revive him.

Donald Findlay said the family is stunned by the news and described his son as athletic and in "perfect condition."

"He swam for years. He had no fat. He was in great shape, just tall and lean," his father said.

Patrick Findlay, his wife and their two children were on a family vacation in Sunriver, Ore., where the triathlon was held, his father said.

advertising

His son had participated in numerous athletic competitions over the years — a motivational tool to stay in top form, he said.

"He loved sports," Donald Findlay said. "He coached his son's baseball team and his daughter's soccer team. He was a tremendously generous person."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business

Illegal workers quietly let go

Metro won't cut bus service after all

Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift

Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Advertising

Video

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
A little friendly competition between professional pie-baker Kate McDermott and The Seatttle Times' Kathleen Triesch Saul is handled with great taste.

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising