Brit triathlon athlete, 57, dies ‘from cardiac arrest’ while competing in World Championships in Costa del Sol

A BRITISH athlete aged 57 has died after suffering a cardiac arrest while taking part in a triathlon in Spain.

Another man from Mexico also died during the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Championship Finals in the Costa del Sol.

The Brit died while he was running with local media reporting his cardiac arrest.

The Mexican man, who died during the swim, was 79, according to local media.

They died within minutes of each other, Spanish outlet reports, just after 4pm.

Emergency services were called to the scene with paramedics attempting CPR on the Brit in a bid to save his life.

The man from Mexico had suffered a heart attack only moments earlier, just a kilometre away.

Both men were reportedly competing in the veteran category with a 750 metre stretch for swimming, 20 kilometres of cycling and five kilometres for running.

A statement from World Triathlon read: "It is with deep sadness that we inform you that two competitors (one from Mexico, one from Britain) have died at the World Triathlon Torremolinos-Andalucia AG Sprint Distance World Championships."

The organisation said it was in contact with their loved ones to "provide all the necessary support in these difficult and sad times."

A triathlon is an intense endurance sport involving running, swimming and cycling.

Torremolinos hosts the World Series for triathlon competing in October each year.

Over 5,500 athletes come from more than 80 different countries to take part.

Some 20,000 people were expected to flock to the city for this year's competition.