Renowned Montreal HIV researcher Dr. Mark Wainberg drowns at 71

World-renowned HIV/AIDS researcher Dr. Mark Wainberg died suddenly in Florida on Tuesday.

A Bal Harbour coroner confirmed the Montreal scientist drowned off the shores of Miami after suffering an asthma attack.

READ MORE: Canada’s policy on gay men donating tissue is ‘discrimination’: doctor

Police received an emergency call at 2:42 p.m. requesting emergency services on the beach near 10205 Collins Avenue.

“His son couldn’t see he him swimming anymore, so he went over and found him unconscious, then proceeded to carry him to shore,” said acting Police Chief Mike De La Rosa.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "His son couldn't see he him swimming anymore, so he went over and found him unconscious, then proceeded to carry him to shore," said acting Police Chief Mike De La Rosa.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

When police arrived, they found Wainberg’s son and other beach-goers attempting to help. Officers then administered C.P.R. until EMS arrived.

READ MORE: HIV treatment for babies promising, but not yet a ‘cure’: researchers

According to Miami-Dade County coroner Dr. Shanedelle Norford, he was pronounced dead at 3:40 p.m. at a local hospital on April 11.

He was 71 years old.

Wainberg was the founder and director of the McGill University AIDS Centre and the Lady Davis Institute at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital.

READ MORE: Canada’s limitations on gay blood donations ‘ridiculous’: HIV researchers

He became the president of the International AIDS Society from 1998 to 2000, and was credited for discovering the 3TC drug used for treating the virus.