KAILUA-KONA — A professional triathlete is expected to survive after colliding with a vehicle while on the cycling course during the 39th annual Ironman World Championship on Saturday, officials confirmed Monday.
Ironman officials said the athlete involved in Saturday’s crash was Matt Russell.
“He suffered serious injurious that required transport to a local hospital where he is currently being treated. Our thoughts are with Matt and his family during this difficult time and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” according to an Ironman statement.
The crash occurred around 11 a.m. Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner said the cyclist was traveling toward Kailua-Kona on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when he broadsided a vehicle crossing the highway from Waikoloa Road.
According to the Ironman Track app, Russell was 75 miles into the 112-mile bike course and had four hours of race time when he was last tracked at mile marker 76.
Russell was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital. Wagner said the cyclist was reported in serious condition around 1 p.m. By 3:30 p.m. Saturday, his condition appeared to be improving.
Wagner said there were some cones in the area where the crash occurred but there were also several police officers directing traffic at the intersection. On Monday, Wagner stated there were officers at every intersection that bikes and runners went through directing traffic.
The incident is under investigation. Wagner said they are meeting with the police department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit today to go over statements for the accident.
Janey Brink was a witness to the crash. She was along the highway cheering the athletes on with friends and family. She said those directing traffic were allowing cars to cross the intersection two or three vehicles at a time.
“We couldn’t understand why cars in that intersection were still moving,” Brink said.
Brink said the riders had no idea there was an incident in the intersection and that it was another incident waiting to happen, almost.
“This rider, he could do nothing,” she said. “These riders need to have a clear path and that intersection was not clear.”
Brink said the cyclist involved in the collision was going full speed when the vehicle pulled in front of him in the intersection.
“I’ve never seen a body go through what his body went through,” Brink said. “He came out of his clips.”