18-Year-Old Olympic Candidate Dies in Diving Accident
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Jackson James Rice, an 18-year-old kitesurfer from Tonga, has died following a diving accident.
His father, Darren Rice, confirmed the tragic news to Matangi Tonga, and his sister, Lily Rice, shared the announcement on Facebook.
Details of the Accident
Rice was found by fellow divers on the seabed under his boat. Despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved. The cause of death is believed to be a sudden loss of consciousness due to a lack of oxygen in the brain.
Rice was an American-born athlete who had qualified to represent Tonga in the foil race competitions scheduled to be held in Marseille, as reported by Die Presse.
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