Race organizers not liable in Ironman athlete's death

A jury in Panama City, Fla., has determined that the organizers of the 2006 Florida Ironman competition were not responsible for the death of a 35-year-old Kalispell man who collapsed during the race.

Barney Rice died three days after collapsing during the 1.2-mile swim portion of the triathlon and Panama City Beach. His family sued North American Sports Inc. and USA Triathlon for wrongful death, saying organizers didn't follow their own safety protocols. They sought $5.5 million in compensation.

The eight-person jury in Panama City deliberated for 90 minutes Friday before finding no negligence on the part of the Ironman organizers that was legally responsible for Rice's death.

Two spotters had found Rice face-down in the water as he was on the second lap of the 2.4-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico.

His father, Pete Rice, noted at the time that the water was rough and there was a strong current, but didn't know if either was the cause of his son's trouble.

The spotters turned Rice upright and a rescue team administered CPR, but he was not breathing when he was taken to the medical tent on shore. Crews resuscitated him by the time an ambulance took him to a Panama City hospital but he still was unconscious.

Rice underwent three cranial operations but never regained consciousness. He died Nov. 7, 2006.

The race, which included a 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in addition to the swim, was Rice's first Ironman. He was an amateur triathlete and competed in a Half Ironman triathlon the previous year.

He co-owned North Country Auto and Marine with his stepbrother, Jason Eliason.