CrossFit Games eyewitness recalls 'screaming for lifeguards' as Lazar Dukic drowned in Fort Worth lake

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

FORT WORTH, TEXAS: Lazar Dukic, 28, from Serbia, tragically died during a swimming event organized at Fort Worth's Marine Creek Lake for the 2024 CrossFit Games on Thursday, August 8.

Eyewitnesses now recall how they screamed for lifeguards to help Dukic as he tragically drowned just moments from the finish line.

Eyewitnesses detail the horrifying moment of Lazar Dukic's drowning

In footage from the games, shared on X (formerly Twitter), Lazar Dukic's distress was visible as he neared the finish line of the 800m (0.5-mile) swimming event, gasping for breath.

Witnesses, horrified by the unfolding scene, desperately shouted for help, hoping someone would come to his aid.

Cole Learn, a fellow athlete who was observing the event, reportedly shared his unsettling experience on Instagram Stories.

One X user wrote, "Whilst everyone is watching Tia race for the finish. Including it appears the CrossFitGames safety team. Lazar dukic is left to drown with apparantely spectators being turned away from attempting a rescue," along with a chilling video of Dukic drowning. 

According to Unilad, Learn described the moment he realized that something was dreadfully wrong with Dukic.

He said, "We watched Lazar go under and we screamed for some life guards, we were pretty far away so it was tough to do anything else, but we were yelling for lifeguards and unfortunately they couldn't hear us, and he just never came back up. I am absolutely devastated, that was not something that I wanted to watch."

"That's what happened, we're gonna try and figure things out," added the athlete. 

David Shorunke, another fellow athlete, expressed his deep concern on Instagram, questioning how such a tragic accident could occur. He remarked, "I hope the investigation underway reveals how one of the best runners and swimmers in the field managed to drown just 30 meters from the finish, in full view of lifeguards, medical personnel, and hundreds of fans."

The CrossFit Games took to X to address the heartbreaking loss, writing, "Today is the saddest day in @CrossFit history. We are shattered by the loss of Lazar Đukić along with the entire CrossFit community."

They added, "Lazar was one of our sport’s most talented competitors, but he was much more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to practically everyone who knew him. Fiercely competitive, incurably joyful and uncommonly kind, Lazar was the sun of any room he was in. The loss of his light is inconceivable." 

Lazar Dukic's body was recovered an hour after emergency services were alerted

Lazar Dukic was participating in the 800m (0.5-mile) swim segment, which followed a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) run.

In a somber turn of events, emergency services were alerted shortly before 8 am (local time) on Thursday when he disappeared under the water and did not resurface. 

Dukic's body was recovered an hour later and he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

In a statement shared with the BBC, Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit, said the safety of the community was of "paramount concern to CrossFit."

"[W]e have rigorous protocols in place for each event at the CrossFit Games," noted Faul, adding the company had launched an investigation being conducted by an independent third party.

The search for Mr Dukic's body involved a dive team from the Fort Worth Police Department as well as drones, reported the BBC, citing local officials.

Faul described Dukic as a "loved and respected" member of the CrossFit community.

He expressed, "There's a lot of people in the community who are hurting right now. A lot of people are mourning. We want to do everything we can to support the community, to support the family."

The CrossFit CEO reassured that a "fully documented safety plan" was in place, with safety personnel present throughout the event.

CrossFit Games resumes after Lazar Dukic's tragic death

Despite the heart-wrenching incident, the CrossFit Games resumed on the morning of Friday, as the community rallied together.

While events on August 8 were put on hold, organizers chose to continue the competition, emphasizing the importance of coming together in times of grief. 

In the X post, the CrossFit Games added, "The first instinct is to shut down. To isolate. To mourn. But the only cure for grief is to grieve. And the best way to grieve is together. In our community, coming together to do hard things is how we pay tribute. In this spirit, we have decided to move forward with the 2024 CrossFit Games."

"This weekend is dedicated to Lazar Đukić. We will open tomorrow at 10:00 am," mentioned the organization. 

Dukic was Serbia’s top CrossFit athlete from 2017 to 2021, and he was ranked third this year, according to his biography on CrossFit Games' official website. He placed 88th in the worldwide ranking. 

The CrossFit Games, an annual showcase of athletic prowess across various disciplines, are known for their unpredictable challenges, with details of each event often revealed at the last minute. 

This year’s competition kicked off on August 8, with plans to run through August 10.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.