Swimmer Dies Near George Washington Bridge During Marathon Race

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A retired university professor and medical researcher died while swimming near the George Washington Bridge in a race described as the "longest marathon swim in the world," according to race organizers and the man's family.

Charles Van Der Horst, 67, disappeared while swimming near the Upper Manhattan bridge on Friday, New York Open Water announced. Van Der Horst was swimming the sixth leg of the 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim, a 15.7-mile swim from the Tappan Zee to the George Washington Bridge, when he "went under," New York Open Water said in a statement.

"Charlie exemplified living life to its fullest. He put all of his passion and zest into everything he did, from his love of his family, friends and community, to his swimming to his work on social justice and in the medical field. At this time we ask that you respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn this tragic loss," Van Der Horst's family said in a statement.

Van Der Horst came to New York from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to swim in several legs of the 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim. The swim, which takes place over a number of days, spans the Hudson River from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill, New York to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

New York Open Water canceled the final leg of the race on Saturday as the NYPD continued its search efforts in the Hudson River.

Van Der Horst taught as a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for nearly three decades from 1998 to 2015, according to his LinkedIn page. The doctor had a connection with New York City, having completed his medical residency at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx during the early 80s. After his retirement from teaching, Van Der Horst served on a number of medical boards and was involved in clinical testing, according to his page.

Most of Van Der Horst's medical expertise was in treating patients with HIV and AIDS. While at UNC he established the AIDS Clinic and AIDS Ward at UNC Hospitals. Later in his career he began to focus on AIDS prevention in South Africa and Malawi, according to the biography on his LinkedIn page.