How did Duncan Pugh die? Bobsledder, 48, suffered a concussion during 2010 Winter Olympics
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Duncan Pugh, an Australian bobsledder who competed in the Olympics, died on January 24 at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife and two young sons.
Pugh represented the nation at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. "We are heartbroken and simply lost for words," his wife, McKenzie Pugh, wrote in an online obituary, as per Daily Mail. "You were the rock of our family and wore your heart on your sleeve. You were so very proud of our two boys, the best dad anyone could have hoped for. You made me feel the center of your world. Your passion and determination will forever live on in our boys."
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How did Duncan Pugh die?
As per reports, Pugh suffered a "catastrophic brain bleed" and died from an unexpected brain aneurysm. Pugh, a former runner and surf lifeguard, made his debut on the world bobsled circuit in the 2007 European Cup after learning about it from a friend. He and Chris Spring earned bronze in the two-man competition in the 2009 America's Cup in Calgary, Canada, two years later. The following year, at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Pugh made his debut as an Olympian, but his medal hopes were dashed when he was eliminated from the tournament in the first round following a collision that left him with a concussion. Pugh was also a teacher and has spent the last 17 years employed with the Catholic school Newman College in Perth's inner-northwest. He was also managing the Wests Scarborough Rugby Union Club and was a volunteer coach.
In the 2010 Olympics, Pugh and pilot Jeremy Rolleston's sled overturned during the opening run of the two-man competition, sending them tumbling down the track upside-down. They were disqualified from more runs since they did not complete the race, and they were compelled to quit the four-man sled competition as a result of their injuries. After the accident, Pugh did not participate in any more Olympic Games. While talking about the accident, Pugh remarked that it was "almost impossible to describe" the out-of-control drop down the sliding track. "It's not a pleasant sensation, for a split second everything goes quiet and everything goes soft as you roll over," he said. "And then you hit the ice and it's just incredibly noisy, you're getting rolled onto your head, onto your back."
'An ex-Olympian with a continued passion for sport'
A GoFundMe has been set up by a family friend, Levi Bristow, to gather funds for the funeral charges and for Pugh's two children: Charlie, 7, and George, 6. "Duncan was and will always be remembered as a legend. A part of our lives for so many reasons. A fantastic father to his boys, a beloved husband, son, brother and uncle to his family. An ex-Olympian with a continued passion for sport, which was obvious in his role as rugby and Pugh fitness coach. He was adored and highly respected as a teacher and loved by all his friends. Anyone that had a one-on-one conversation with Dunc will know exactly how easy it was to feel comfortable in his presence and grateful for his friendship. He will be sorely missed every day by us all," wrote Bristow. The account has managed to raise $42,640 AUD, over the initial goal of $20,000.