A double tragedy took place during the
\nfirst day of this year\u2019s Canoe Marathon on the Great Fish River near Cradock
\nwhen two men lost their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organisers of the marathon have
\nconfirmed that 53-year-old paddler, Axel Marggraf from Pretoria, died on Friday,
\nOctober 8, after falling out of the K-3 canoe in the Soutpandrift rapid,
\nwhile Dean Chiazzari (31) from Amanzimtoti died of a suspected heart attack
\nafter withdrawing from the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colonel Priscilla Naidu of the Eastern Cape
\nPolice Media Office confirmed the two deaths and said that Marggraf died at
\nabout 11:15 on October 8, when their canoe hit several rocks. \u201cThe deceased fell out of the canoe and allegedly
\ndrowned,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also confirmed that Chiazzari had
\nexited the water when he indicated that he was not feeling well and went to lie
\ndown in his vehicle. He was later found
\ndead and an inquest docket was opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fish River Canoe Marathon chairman, Roy
\nCopeman, sent his condolences to the families and friends of the two paddlers
\nand said that the entire paddling community has been shaken by the double
\ntragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur safety teams and divers, together with
\na group of volunteers assisting and seconders at the scene went to great
\nlengths, risking their own lives, to assist in locating and reaching the
\nmissing paddler. The response was fast
\nand effective but sadly they were not able to resuscitate the paddler,\u201d Copeman
\nsaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He praised the race safety personnel who
\nresponded quickly to both instances and although the response was fast and effective,
\nthey were not able to save <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The organisers of the marathon have confirmed that 53-year-old paddler, Axel Marggraf from Pretoria, died on Friday, September 8, after falling out of the K-3 canoe in the Soutpandrift rapid, while Dean Chiazzari (31) from Amanzimtoti died of a suspected heart attack after withdrawing from the 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