High-profile athlete Dean Mercer, who grew up in Thirroul, has died after his car crashed into a fence on the Gold Coast.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said it was believed the crash, which happened at Mermaid Waters about 7am on Monday, may have been caused by a medical incident.
Mercer was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, where he died.
Mercer was a former national champion and had been heavily involved in sporting circles on the Gold Coast.
Mercer was a legend of surf-lifesaving known as a bull terror in his races, with friends telling Fairfax Media on Monday he had a 'heart the size of Phar Lap'.
He could never be counted out of a contest, with his gutsy victory over all-time great Trevor Hendy in the 1995 Australian Iron Man Final one of the most-famous moments of his career.
He won his first Australian crown in 1989, before adding a second six years later. His fierce rivalry with Hendy and older brother Darren was a regular feature on weekend television during the glory days of the sport in the late 80s and 90s.
Mercer, who grew up in Thirroul, would collect five NSW state tites, a pair of Test of the Toughest titles and won various national titles in other surf lifesaving events.
After retiring from racing, Mercer remained heavily involved in the sport, coaching the Nippers at the Gold Coast's Kurrawa club and being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2014.
Mercer and wife Reen, a former surf lifesaving star in her own right, have four sons.
More to come.
