EMMA-KATE LIDBURY from Cricklade has finished fourth in the pro women’s section of the 33rd annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.

There was a sad postscript to the event, however, as a 46-year-old man from Austin in Texas died while taking part in the swimming section in San Francisco Bay.

The competitor is thought to have had a heart attack shortly after entering the water.

Lidbury finished in a time of 2hr 25.34sec. The winner was local triathlete Heather Jackson in 2:18.08.

London Olympics silver medallist Javier Gomez from Spain won the men’s event.

The Escape from Alcatraz schedule – 1.5m swim, 18-mile bike ride and 8-mile run around the Golden Gate Recreation Area – is shorter than the optimum distance over which Lidbury normally competes so she was delighted with her placing.

“I've never felt so terrified + so alive at the same time! Escape from Alcatraz was EPIC!,” she tweeted.