(UTV | COLOMBO) – Two-time world champion snowboarder Alex Pullin has died while spearfishing in his native Australia, local officials have confirmed.
Pullin, 32, was found unresponsive off a beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast on Wednesday.
He was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be revived, authorities said.
Nicknamed “Chumpy”, Pullin was Australia’s flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said: “The man was spearfishing off Palm Beach. He was brought to shore by bystanders where he was treated by local lifesavers and paramedics.”
A snorkeller had spotted Pullin unconscious underwater on an artificial reef, local media said.
Lifeguards brought him to shore and called paramedics about 10:30 local time (00:30 GMT).
The athlete had previously shared pictures online of himself spearfishing, swimming and surfing. (BBC)