Re: 2007 Israel GM/Technion Regional
 

Hi everyone,

I will try to explain the events of today to those who have not heard.

During the qualifying matches at the Israeli Regional, Daniel Blankenstein suffered from what appears to have been a cardiac arrest.
The medical team were there in a split second, but they were unable to resuscitate him.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
May he rest in peace.



-Leav

Re: 2007 Israel GM/Technion Regional
 

My deepest condolences goes out to Daniel Blankenstein family and friends, may he rest in peace

Re: 2007 Israel GM/Technion Regional
 

My sincerest condolences to Daniel Blankenstein, his family, and the entire FIRST Israel family.

2008 Israel Regional - today's sobering events
 

I would like to add my condolences to those already expressed here. I am the head referee at the Israeli Regional and I would like to also clarify the situation to the best of my ability.

Mr. Blankenstein was NOT on the referee crew. He was a VIP and I believe an executive from Omnitech, an Israeli company that distributes and/or supports Autodesk software here in Israel. His company is a contributor to the FIRST Israel program and he was there to present the Autodesk award and was standing by the field observing some matches with other VIPs when he collapsed. Following his collapse, and about 45 minutes of work by paramedics that was unfortunately unsuccessful in reviving him, the stadium was cleared and the remainder of the days matches postponed until tomorrow.

As others have said this is a very unfortunate loss, and my warmest wishes and sincerest sympathy go out to his family. This was a very sobering reminder of what is really important, and how trivial some of the bickering and squabbling here on CD can be sometimes.

Re: 2007 Israel GM/Technion Regional
 

My sincere condolences to Daniel Blankenstein and his family.
May he rest in peace!