A Michigan man died Saturday morning after being pulled from the water during a triathlon at Fort De Soto Park.
Donald Bautel, 64, died at a local hospital after he was pulled from the water during the Escape from Fort De Soto triathlon.
According to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Bautel appeared to be drowning during the swim portion of the triathlon. Nearby swimmers pulled him from the water, began performing CPR and called 911, deputies said.
"Another racer in trouble will bring people to their aid," said participant Brian Constantine.
Constantine said he was already out of the water when the incident happened, but he knew something had gone wrong.
"The first thing I noticed that told me that something might be going on was when I was on the bike part of the course, and I was well in to it maybe seven miles in, when emergency vehicles passed me," he said.
Emergency crews arrived at abut 8:16 a.m. and took Bautel to a local hospital, where he later died.
"The way those races start it's easy to get your heart rate really really elevated I've experienced it myself a few times," Constantine said.
Deputies said the death appears to be accidental, possibly health-related.
Race Director Fred Rzymek released the following statement:
"The entire multisport community is mourning the loss of Donald Bautel, 64, of Alpena, Michigan. Mr. Bautel was a participant in the 2014 Mazda Escape From Ft DeSoto Triathlon. Out of respect for the Bautel family and his fellow triathletes, who are mourning his loss we will have no further comments at this time."