A male participant died after being rescued from a triathlon event in Tai Po, prompting calls from Legislative Council members to introduce GPS tracking and real-time artificial intelligence monitoring systems to enhance water safety during open-water competitions.
An investigation is underway following the death of a male participant who lost contact during a triathlon event held in Tai Po, according to reporting by RTHK. The competitor was rescued from the water and rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment, but he could not be saved.
Lawmaker Questions Tai Po Course Safety and Police Probe
Legislative Council member Cheng Wing-shun expressed sadness over the incident during an appearance on the RTHK program Millennium.
Based on his own past experiences competing at Tai Po’s Tai Mei Tuk venue, Cheng noted that the swimming portion takes place in an inner sea environment typically characterized by stable water conditions, safety safeguards, and lifeguard stations positioned every few meters alongside rescue boats. He stated that he expects police to investigate the overarching circumstances to determine what improvements can be made.
Yellow Rainstorm Warnings and Adverse Weather Policy
Weather conditions on the day of the event included a yellow rainstorm warning signal issued by the Hong Kong Observatory.
Addressing how competitions handle adverse weather, Cheng remarked that while events are normally canceled under red or black rainstorm signals, decisions regarding yellow rainstorms are largely left to organizers based on real-time conditions. Pointing out that extreme weather has become more frequent in recent years, he suggested adopting a more conservative approach and examining overseas guidelines that factor in regional conditions.
Proposing GPS and AI Systems for Open-Water Rescue
In response to the fatal incident, lawmakers have put forward technological upgrades to monitor open-water participants more closely. Cheng suggested that modern technology makes it feasible to explore using Global Positioning Systems to track whether competitors return to the finish line within designated time limits.
Water Temperature Shifts Test Even Experienced Athletes
Another lawmaker, Kingsley Ho, highlighted how changing weather can alter open-water conditions. Ho noted that rainfall can affect water temperature, causing different physiological reactions for swimmers even if they are experienced athletes.
The weather will cause changes in the state of the water body, such as yesterday’s rain, which may affect the water temperature. When the body is immersed in water, different conditions will occur, and even experienced athletes may be affected. Kingsley Ho, Legislative Council Member
To mitigate these risks, Ho recommended deploying tracking systems paired with underwater cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor every participant in real time, enabling immediate location data to be transmitted to nearby rescue personnel if an accident occurs.