Motorbike rider, 70, dead after collision with triathlete at European Championship as competitor slams ‘complete farce’
A MOTORCYCLIST was killed following a collision with an athlete at the European Championship Ironman triathlon event over the weekend.
The 70-year-old, who is yet to be named, was carrying an official race photographer on his motorbike in Hamburg.
During the cycling portion of the race, the motorbike carrying the photographer was involved in a horrifying head-on collision with a competitor.
The terrifying incident was picked up by television footage, with the athlete thrown off his bike and into the path of fellow competitors.
Following the crash, organisers confirmed that the 70-year-old motorcyclist had been killed in the incident.
The athlete, 26, was rushed to hospital having been “seriously injured”.
While the shocked photographer, 50, was also brought into hospital.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash the race continued, albeit with athletes being forced to take a diversion as cops entered the scene.
The gruelling race consisted of a 26.2 mile run, 3.8km swim and 180km bike ride.
It was covered by German TV, although coverage was interrupted as a mark of respect after the fatal crash.
Following the incident, race organisers released a statement.
It read: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirmed the passing of a motorcycle operator during the Ironman European Championship Hamburg.
“At 36km of the Ironman Hamburg bike course, a credentialed motorcycle race vehicle collided with an age-group athlete who was riding on the racecourse in the opposite oncoming lane.
“An event photographer on the motorcycle, who was also injured during the collision, has since been released from hospital. The race participant remains in hospital for further treatment.
“We are devastated by this tragic accident.
“On a day meant to be a celebration of the human spirit, we instead mourn the loss of a member of our triathlon community. Our sympathies are with all those affected.
“Our priority always is ensuring the safety of our participants and those involved in the event. A police investigation is ongoing and we are co-operating with local authorities to understand the events that lead to the accident.”
Athlete Jan Frodeno criticised race organisers after the event, saying: “It was incredibly narrow, a complete farce. I was right next to it and saw the bike shatter into what felt like a thousand pieces.
“I know that such things must always be covered by the media, but athletes’ safety should come first.”
A police statement confirmed: “According to initial indications, there was a head-on collision between the escort motorcycle and an oncoming race cyclist.”