Man who died during Crystal Lake swim race may have had heart attack

Preliminary findings show a 58-year-old Lake Forest man who died during a swimming competition on Crystal Lake had a heart attack.

John Sloan was pronounced dead a little past 9 a.m. Saturday in the emergency room of Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, where he had been rushed after unsuccessful efforts to revive him on the lakeshore, Deputy McHenry County Coroner Curt Bradshaw said.

Additional tests will be conducted, including toxicology, although there is no indication drugs or alcohol played a role in Sloan's death, Bradshaw said after an autopsy on Sunday.

Officials said Sloan was participating in the Crystal Lake Park District's Open Water Swim Race Saturday morning when he was observed going off course.

A lifeguard in a boat approached and asked if he needed assistance, according to a park district statement. Sloan continued swimming, and the lifeguard again asked if he needed help before extending a rescue tube to him.

"At that point the swimmer became passive and the lifeguard immediately entered the water and brought the swimmer to shore where trained lifeguards responded immediately," the park district statement reads.

At the time, there were 210 swimmers participating in the race, another 150 spectators on shore and 50 lifeguards keeping watch, the district said.

Park District Executive Director Jason Herbster said the incident remains under investigation.

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<li><a href="/story/?id=393219">Lake Forest man dies during Crystal Lake swim competition <span class="date">[7/10/10]</span></a></li>

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