Ironman Dean Mercer killed in Gold Coast car crash
Former Australian ironman champ Dean Mercer has died after crashing his car into a fence on the Gold Coast.
Dean Mercer, 47, a two-time winner of the national ironman title, crashed into a fence outside a Mermaid Waters shopping centre car park about 7am on Monday.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the crash was the result of a medical incident believed to be a heart attack.
He was in a critical condition from the crash on Makeri Street, near the Q Super Centre but died in hospital.
Mercer has two Australian crowns. Source: AAP
Mercer claimed the one thousand nine hundred eighty nine and one thousand nine hundred ninety five ironman crowns at the Australian championships, an record-equalling five Fresh South Wales state titles, two Test of the Harshest titles and the world Oceanman Series.
His family have been notified of the accident.
Mercer during a competition in Kurrawa in 2004. Source: AAP
Mercer grew up in the beachside town of Thirroul, north of Wollongong. He competed in the Nutri-Grain national ironman series from one thousand nine hundred eighty seven to 2010.
He was employed as a junior coach at Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast.
It is with good sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ironman and SLS legend Dean Mercer OAM.
Surf Life Saving Australian spokesman Ian Hanson labelled Mercer “a true champ in every sense of the word” with “the heart of Phar Lap”.
“No surf was too big, no opponent too tall as he tackled the thickest and the best in the business,” Mr Hanson said.
Social media users have paid tribute to Mercer, acknowledging his contribution surf life saving.
Health and Sport minister Greg Hunt labelled Mercer a “legend in and out of the water, on and off the beach.”
The crash scene at Mermaid Waters. Source: Twitter/JessMumme
“His contribution to surf life saving was enormous,” he tweeted. “Vale.”
Gold Coast sports writer Todd Balym said Mercer was his idol.
“Stunned to hear about Dean Mercer,” he tweeted.
“An absolute champ & idol for many years. Gutted for him, his family & surf community. Massive loss.”
The two-time Australian champ married Gold Coast ironwoman champ Reen Corbett. They have four children.
Stunned to hear about Dean Mercer. An absolute champ & idol for many years. Gutted for him, his family & surf community. Hefty loss.
Dean Mercer was a legend in and out of the water, on and off the beach. His contribution to surf life saving was enormous. Vale.
Sad day for surf lifesaving community, former Sunshine Coast clubmates learn of the tragic passing of Ironman champ Dean Mercer @7NewsSC
Ironman Dean Mercer dead after Gold Coast car accident Yahoo7 News
Ironman Dean Mercer killed in Gold Coast car crash
Former Australian ironman champ Dean Mercer has died after crashing his car into a fence on the Gold Coast.
Dean Mercer, 47, a two-time winner of the national ironman title, crashed into a fence outside a Mermaid Waters shopping centre car park about 7am on Monday.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the crash was the result of a medical incident believed to be a heart attack.
He was in a critical condition from the crash on Makeri Street, near the Q Super Centre but died in hospital.
Mercer has two Australian crowns. Source: AAP
Mercer claimed the one thousand nine hundred eighty nine and one thousand nine hundred ninety five ironman crowns at the Australian championships, an record-equalling five Fresh South Wales state titles, two Test of the Roughest titles and the world Oceanman Series.
His family have been notified of the accident.
Mercer during a competition in Kurrawa in 2004. Source: AAP
Mercer grew up in the beachside town of Thirroul, north of Wollongong. He competed in the Nutri-Grain national ironman series from one thousand nine hundred eighty seven to 2010.
He was employed as a junior coach at Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast.
It is with excellent sadness that we have learned of the passing of Ironman and SLS legend Dean Mercer OAM.
Surf Life Saving Australian spokesman Ian Hanson labelled Mercer “a true champ in every sense of the word” with “the heart of Phar Lap”.
“No surf was too big, no opponent too tall as he tackled the largest and the best in the business,” Mr Hanson said.
Social media users have paid tribute to Mercer, acknowledging his contribution surf life saving.
Health and Sport minister Greg Hunt labelled Mercer a “legend in and out of the water, on and off the beach.”
The crash scene at Mermaid Waters. Source: Twitter/JessMumme
“His contribution to surf life saving was enormous,” he tweeted. “Vale.”
Gold Coast sports writer Todd Balym said Mercer was his idol.
“Stunned to hear about Dean Mercer,” he tweeted.
“An absolute champ & idol for many years. Gutted for him, his family & surf community. Ample loss.”
The two-time Australian champ married Gold Coast ironwoman champ Reen Corbett. They have four children.
Stunned to hear about Dean Mercer. An absolute champ & idol for many years. Gutted for him, his family & surf community. Large loss.
Dean Mercer was a legend in and out of the water, on and off the beach. His contribution to surf life saving was enormous. Vale.
Sad day for surf lifesaving community, former Sunshine Coast clubmates learn of the tragic passing of Ironman champ Dean Mercer @7NewsSC