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SANTA ROSA DE LA PAMPA: Argentinian motorcyclist Jorge Martinez Boero died on Sunday after being involved in an accident on the first day of the Dakar Rally.
The 38-year-old Boero, making his second appearance on the gruelling rally, sustained a heart attack after a fall from his Beta bike during the opening day of racing between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa de la Pampa in the west of Argentina.
Organisers said that Boero received medical attention within five minutes of the crash and was airlifted by helicopter, but died on his way to hospital.
Boero, they said, “was the victim of a fall at kilometre 55 of the special of the first stage between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa”.
“The rider suffered a cardiac arrest following his fall and was attended five minutes after the accident by the medical staff, who reached the place of the incident by helicopter.
“Despite their best efforts, the doctors were unable to resuscitate the pilot, who died while he was being taken to hospital.
“The organisers of the rally offer their heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”Boero's death was the 21st of a competitor during a Dakar Rally, organised 29 times in Africa from 1979 before moving to South America in 2009.
In total, 59 people have died during the rally, including more than 20 spectators. Chilean Francisco Lopez earlier won the opening stage of the motorbike section of the rally, the Aprilia rider timing 32min 37sec over the 57km course.
