Chicago firefighter injured in San Francisco triathlon: ‘I can’t move. I’m paralyzed’

June 11, 2025

A Chicago firefighter faces a difficult recovery after he was injured during a triathlon.

Jose Perez said he takes part in three to four triathlons a year, and was looking forward to the Escape from Alcatraz race earlier this month.

When he jumped into the San Francisco Bay to begin the swim portion, he said, another competitor landed on top of him.

Unable to move, face down in the water, another racer flipped him on his back, and held his head above water so he could breathe. abc7