Johannesburg – A Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour cyclist died after suffering a heart attack, the event's healthcare provider said on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old man from Durban collapsed on the M3 during the race on Sunday, Mediclinic said in a statement.
He was resuscitated and airlifted to the nearby Vincent Pallotti Hospital, but died later on Sunday.
Three other participants suffered serious medical problems during the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
A cyclist collapsed at the finish and received treatment before being transferred to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. Two other riders were treated at the Mediclinic race hospital and were later discharged.
Race doctor Basil Bonner said: “The teams on the ground did a great job in resuscitating the patients and stabilising them before transporting them to the nearest hospitals.
“Our condolences go to the family of the rider who died a few hours later.”
The number of cyclists who received medical attention during the race was around half of the amount treated last year.
Mediclinic said only a minor portion of the field of 34,000 cyclists required medical assistance on the day.
“A total of 1520 riders received attention at the Mediclinic medical stations along the route, which is approximately 50 percent down from 2012.”
Bonner said there was a significant drop in the number of heat-related cases, thanks to milder weather compared to the previous years.
A total of 243 people were treated at the race hospital at the finish, and 67 riders were referred to local hospitals, where 22 were still being treated.
“They were mostly admitted for cardiac-related problems, fractures or minor head injuries,” Mediclinic said. – Sapa