Triathlete dies in Cairns hospital

A Cairns woman has died two days after being pulled unconscious from the water during a long-distance triathlon event.

Erica Atkins, 43, had been in a critical condition at Cairns Hospital after failing to finish the swim leg in Sunday's Ironman 70.3 event.

She died on Tuesday morning with her family at her side, Queensland Police said.

Surf Life Saving Queensland regional manager Col Sparkes said Ms Atkins was only 20 metres shy of the finish line for the 1900 metre swim leg when she faltered.

It is not believed the conditions played a part in the death as an early choppy swell had eased by the time she took to the water, Mr Sparkes said.

"The conditions were good; it had calmed down remarkably," he said.

Family and friends were said to be in shock by Ms Atkins' sudden collapse and deterioration, The Cairns Post has reported.

It is understood she was in an induced coma when she died.