Kite Foil Racer Dead At 18 In Tragic Accident Just Weeks Before Olympic Debut
perezhilton.comA US-born athlete set to represent Tonga in the Olympics has died… just weeks before his debut. Jackson James “JJ” Rice‘s shocking accidental death confirmed by his father Darren Rice on Saturday.
According to Matangi Tonga Online, the 18-year-old was free diving from a boat near his home in Faleloa, Ha’apai when a suspected “shallow water blackout” — a lack of oxygen — caused him to lose consciousness.
Around 12:15 p.m. his body was found on the ocean floor underneath the boat. Sadly, all attempts to save him failed, and he passed away.
So tragic. Related: Deadliest Catch Star Dead After ‘Medical Emergency’ At Alaska Boatyard The teen was born in the United States to British parents, but grew up in Tonga and represented the nation in international Kite Foiling events for several years.
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