Third fatality at Dakar race

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Published time: January 12, 2013 12:26
Edited time: January 12, 2013 16:27

The Dakar Rally saw a third fatality inside two days Friday after French motorcycle rider Thomas Bourgin was killed in an accident ahead of the seventh stage from Calama to Salta.

The 25-year-old collided with a Chilean police car at 8.23am local time while making his way to the start of the stage on a mountainous route.

"Motorcycle rider number 106 Thomas Bourgin was the victim of a fatal traffic accident," the rally organizers stated. "The rally's medical teams deployed on the ground were only able to certify the rider's death, which was probably instant."

It was the first Dakar Rally for the St Etienne-born rider, who had been in 68th place overall before the crash.

Earlier this week two other people died in a three-vehicle crash, which also injured five.

The annual endurance event, which was initially held in western Africa before moving to South America, is notorious for its fatal accidents. More than 50 competitors and spectators have been killed since the rally's launch in 1979.