Olympic bobsledder Duncan Pugh tragically dies after suffering a sudden brain bleed

Australian Olympian Duncan Pugh has died aged 48 after suffering a sudden brain aneurysm, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

Pugh, who represented the country at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, suffered a ‘catastrophic brain hemorrhage’ in Perth on January 24 and was unable to save himself.

“We are heartbroken and simply lost for words,” his wife McKenzie wrote in an online obituary.

You were the pillar of our family and you wore your heart on your sleeve. You were so proud of our two sons, the best father anyone could have hoped for. You made me feel the center of your world.

‘Your passion and determination will live forever in our boys.’

Pugh, a former runner and surf lifeguard, made his debut on the international luge circuit at the European Cup in 2007 after being introduced to the sport by a friend.

Two years later, he won bronze alongside Chris Spring at the 2009 America’s Cup in Calgary, Canada, in the two-man competition.

He made his first Olympic appearance the following year at the Vancouver Winter Games, however his medal dreams were dashed when he was knocked out of competition in the first round due to an accident that left him with a concussion.

During the first run of the two-man event, he and driver Jeremy Rolleston’s sled flipped over, leaving them sliding upside down.

Since they did not finish the race, they were eliminated from further races and were forced to withdraw from the four-man luge competition due to their injuries.

He did not compete in any more Olympic Games after the accident.

Speaking of the accident in 2010, Pugh said the out-of-control plunge down the slippery track was “almost impossible to describe”.

“It’s not a nice feeling, for a split second everything goes quiet and everything goes soft when you turn around,” he told ABC at the time.

“And then you hit the ice and it’s incredibly loud, you’re rolling on your head, on your back.”

Pugh was also a teacher, spending the last 17 years working at Newman College, a Catholic school in the inner northwest of Perth.

Pugh represented Australia at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics (pictured)

He was also a volunteer coach for Wests Scarborough Rugby Union Club, while his wife managed the team and occasionally worked in the canteen.

Family friend Levi Bristow has created a GoFundMe to raise funds for Pugh’s wife and children, Charlie, 7, and George, 6, as they deal with mounting medical bills and upcoming funeral expenses.

Bristow said Pugh “will always be remembered as a legend” who will be missed “every day”.

‘[He was] a fantastic father to his children, a loving husband, son, brother and uncle to his family,” Bristow wrote.

‘A former Olympian with an ongoing passion for the sport, which was obvious in his role as a rugby and…fitness coach. He was adored and highly respected as a teacher and loved by all of his friends.

“Anyone who has had a personal conversation with Dunc will know exactly how easy it was to feel comfortable in his presence and grateful for his friendship.”

A fundraiser was launched to help his wife and young children cover funeral costs.

Tributes flowed for the beloved father of two, and Newman College remembered Pugh as a passionate “outdoor education specialist” and a much-loved member of its health and physical education department.

“Her commitment to students and colleagues was unwavering,” the school said in a statement.

“Duncan will be fondly remembered as an important member of the Newman community and will remain in our hearts for years to come.”

Bobsleigh and Skeleton Australia, the sport’s national governing body, said Pugh had “left too young”.

“Our little bobsleigh family has been dealt a huge blow this week with the passing of Pughie,” he wrote online.

‘Duncan Pugh, 2010 Vancouver Olympian, was and always will be remembered as a legend.

We will all miss him every day.