Paralympic rowing star Angela Madsen dies during solo crossing of Pacific

60-year-old was crossing from California to Hawaii
Madsen was also a campaigner for disability and LBGT rights

Angela Madsen, whose remarkable life took in a spell in the Marines, a string of gold medals and record setting rowing journeys, has died while attempting a solo journey from California to Hawaii.

The 60-year-old’s death was confirmed by her wife, Deb Madsen, in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “With extreme sadness,” she wrote, “I must announce that Angela Madsen will not complete her solo row to Hawaii.”