Inquests into deaths of two men during Youghal Ironman event to open

"Two years ago, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster found that both men died from acute cardiorespiratory failure due to drowning. Post mortem examinations were conducted on both men at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on August 21x, 2023. Mr Chittenden was found to have suffered mild blunt force trauma to the left temporal area of his head which had caused extensive bruising. Dr Bolster said it was possible that the blow may have temporarily diminished the athlete's awareness while in the sea."

"Mr Wall had been pronounced dead less than ten minutes earlier following almost an hour of desperate resuscitation attempts by medical personnel after he was taken unresponsive from the sea in the Green Hole area of Youghal. Mr Chittenden was also removed unresponsive from the water but he was located at the Lighthouse area of the east Cork town. The two incidents occurred separately and on different parts of the 1.9km sea course off Youghal strand early on Sunday, August 20."

"Cork South Coroner Frank O'Connell opened and adjourned the inquests in July 2024 as the investigation into the double tragedy was still ongoing. That hearing was to allow the bereaved families to hear medical evidence in respect of the cause of death in both cases. Monday's resumed inquest will hear more detailed evidence as to the precise circumstances in which both men died while participating in the Youghal event."

Brendan Wall (45) of Cardrath, Slane, Co Meath and Ivan Chittenden (64) of Toronto died while competing in the Youghal Ironman triathlon on 20 August 2023. Cork South Coroner Frank O'Connell opened and adjourned the inquests in July 2024 while investigations continued, with hearings to present medical evidence and to establish precise circumstances. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster concluded both deaths resulted from acute cardiorespiratory failure due to drowning after post-mortems at Cork University Hospital on 21 August 2023. Mr Chittenden suffered mild blunt force trauma to his left temporal area with extensive bruising that may have diminished his awareness. Garda testimony stated both men were removed unresponsive from separate sections of the 1.9km sea course; Mr Wall received almost an hour of resuscitation before being pronounced dead.

Read at Irish Independent