Swimmer abandons Lagarfljót crossing after 13 hours due to injury

Swimmer Sigurgeir Svanbergsson was forced to abandon his attempt to swim across the Lagarfljót river after 13 and a half hours because of a friction wound on his right arm, mbl.is reported.

“We simply had to stop. I did not want to risk making his hand worse. It had become so bad that it had started bleeding,” Árni Bergsson, Sigurgeir’s friend and main supporter, told mbl.is.

Árni said the wound was near the armpit and had been caused by the swimmer’s skin rubbing against his swimsuit. A zipper on the suit had torn the skin and caused swelling that extended towards the elbow. The injury worsened until Sigurgeir could no longer use the arm, making it too dangerous to continue.

Sigurgeir was otherwise in good condition. Árni said the temperature, weather and wind had all been favourable, with temperatures never falling below 8 degrees Celsius. Sigurgeir also did not become cold, unlike during his previous attempt.

For now, the plan is to rest. Árni also said the effort was intended to support Píeta in eastern Iceland, adding that the region needed support following events in recent years and that the organisation’s work was necessary throughout the country.