Sunday, January 13, 2013

French motorcyclist Thomas Bourgin killed at Dakar

French motorcyclist Thomas Bourgin killed at Dakar
The 2013 Dakar Rally has claimed another life. Organizers have confirmed 25-year-old motorcycle rider Thomas Bourgin died after colliding with an oncoming Chilean police vehicle while in transit to the start of a stage.

The accident occurred at 8:23 local time, and the rally's medical teams responded to the scene. Medics say Bourgin likely died instantly as a result of the collision. The Frenchman was ranked 68th in the 2013 Dakar Rally at the time of the accident. This was his first running of the event, though he had competed successfully in the Morocco Rally, Africa Race and the Tunisia Rally.

This year's race claimed the lives of two passengers in a taxi when a support truck struck their vehicle head on last week. A second taxi rolled several times attempting to avoid the wreck, resulting in a total of seven injuries.

Death of the rider Thomas Bourgin

Motorcycle rider no. 106 Thomas Bourgin (FRA) was the victim of a fatal traffic accident on the link route as he made his way to the start of the day's special stage.

The accident took place at 08.23 hours local time on the link route on the way up to the Chilean side of the mountain range. The 25-year-old rider collided with a Chilean police car that was travelling in the opposite direction. The exact circumstances of the accident are being subjected to an inquiry.

The rally's medical teams deployed on the ground were only able to certify the rider's death, probably instant.

Thomas Bourgin, from Saint Etienne, where he was born on December 23rd 1987, was in 68th place in the overall ranking of his first Dakar. He had realised his passion since 2009 when he took part in the Morocco Rally, followed by a 4th place in the 2011 Africa Race and a 7th place finish in the Tunisia Rally.

The organisers of the Dakar and everyone involved in it express their great sadness to his family and friends and offer their most sincere condolences.

News Source: Dakar Rally

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