Dakar: Truck leader Loprais ran into a spectator

The tragic incident took place during the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally, which took place between the cities of Riyadh and Harad.

The leader of the truck classification, Czech Aleš Loprais, knocked over a spectator, who later died. Loprais explained that he did not see the moment of the incident – the organizers informed the rider about the tragedy after the finish. On Wednesday, Loprais decided to withdraw from the competition.

“We were already asleep when the organizers woke us up with the words that they have a record of hitting a person,” said Ales Loprais on social networks. “He tried to take a picture of our truck from under the dune and was injured. For two to three hours he felt sick and while being transported by helicopter to the hospital, he suffered a heart attack.

I was driving, so a human life was cut short through my fault. I must say that neither I nor my crew knew about this. We have video from the cameras on the car to prove it. However, this does not change the fact that the person has died.

I extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends. This tragic incident will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.”