Harrowing details of University of Washington rower that died in free-diving accident in the Philippines

A University of Washington rower has died pursuing a free-diving mishap successful the Philippines.

Austin Regier, 27, had been traveling done the state connected a six-week abrogation erstwhile helium drowned in Barracuda Lake connected Friday. 

According to his sister Brooke, her member was swimming with friends erstwhile helium 'did not aboveground arsenic expected' and aesculapian teams were incapable to resuscitate him. 

In a station to societal media, Brooke described her brother, who is from Seattle, arsenic 'a lightning bolt, a ray of sunshine, a booming voice, and a large beard'. 

Regier was an accomplished rower, having won a nationalist title for his alma mater successful his last collegiate contention of his vocation successful 2021.

Most precocious helium was grooming and competing alongside the New York Yacht Club's American Magic team, moving successful Barcelona, Spain. 

He had played a portion successful the team's America's Cup campaign, with American Magic sharing a tribute to him connected their site. 

The radical said: 'We are heartbroken to stock the tragic quality of the passing of Austin Regier, a beloved subordinate of the NYYC American Magic team, pursuing a free-diving mishap successful the Philippines.'

Their connection continued: ' Austin played a pivotal relation successful our 37th America's Cup run successful Barcelona, giving his each to assistance our squad execute its goals. 

'But beyond his nonrecreational achievements, Austin volition beryllium remembered for his kindness, humility, and the friendships helium built on the way.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Austin's family, friends, and loved ones during this hard time. 

'His bequest arsenic a sailor, teammate, and person volition everlastingly stay a portion of American Magic's story. Rest successful peace, Austin. You volition ever beryllium portion of the American Magic family.'

His former manager astatine the University of Washington Michael Callahan has since described him arsenic having a 'contagious, affirmative attitude'. 

Callahan said: 'He ever jumped into his communities with some feet, and near a affirmative interaction connected everyone who had the grant of spending clip with him.

'He was a antheral of the highest character, conviction, and insuppressible joy. He had a passionateness adventure, contention and camaraderie.'

On Monday night, his erstwhile assemblage teammates met up astatine a section barroom to retrieve him. 

Former teammate Madison Molitor was asked by KING 5 what helium would want Regier to know. 

Molitor told the outlet: 'I'd astir apt archer him, just, 'Thank you'. Thank you for being specified an illustration successful however to... however to unrecorded a beingness touching truthful galore people.' 

Since his passing was announced connected societal media, a GoFundMe has been launched to assistance his family. 

With a people of $50,000, donations person already beaten that and raised implicit $73,000. 

His sister added: 'Austin's committedness to his faith, his family, his friends, and each alien that crossed his way was electric. 

'Every enactment with Austin included a cheerful greeting, intentional questions, and thoughtful remarks. 

'He genuinely was a magnificent soul, ever selfless successful his actions and not a malicious bony successful his body. 

'He leaves his household present connected this earth, heartbroken and devastated. We are humbled and appreciative of the emotion and enactment we person received from his communities implicit the past mates of days.'