Court: Triathlon not responsible for Kalispell man's death

ATLANTA— A federal appeals court has upheld a jury’s verdict that the organizers of the 2006 Florida Ironman were not responsible for the death of a 35-year-old Kalispell man who collapsed during the race.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta issued a ruling Monday affirming the jury’s verdict in the case of Barney Rice, who died three days after collapsing during the 1.2-mile swim portion of the triathlon at Panama City Beach.

Rice’s 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.

But an eight-person jury ruled against Rice’s family in July 2009, and the appeals court said it found no reason to overturn the ruling.

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 contributed to 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 a medical tent on shore. Crews resuscitated him by the time an ambulance took him to a Panama City hospital, but he was still unconscious.

Rice had 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 had competed in a Half Ironman triathlon the previous year.

He co-owned North Country Auto and Marine in Kalispell with his stepbrother, Jason Eliason. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; stepson, Hunter; and sons Asher and Atlas.