HAMBURG, Germany — The rider of a bike has died following a crash with a competitor in an Ironman triathlon European championship race Sunday, police within the event’s host city of Hamburg said.
Police said there was a head-on crash when a race support motorbike carrying a rider and a passenger collided with a triathlete who was cycling in the wrong way.
TV footage showed the incident happened on a piece of road where competitors were riding in each directions as a part of a loop within the course for the cycling section of the race. Motorbikes carrying camera operators were riding down the center of the road.
Police said in an announcement that the 70-year-old motorbike rider died on the scene, a 26-year-old triathlete was treated for severe injuries and a 50-year-old camera operator was treated in hospital for shock. Police were investigating how the crash happened.
“At 36 (kilometers) (22 miles) of the IRONMAN Hamburg bike course, a motorbike race vehicle, carrying an official race photographer, was involved in a collision with a race participant,” organizers said in an announcement.
“It’s with our deepest regret to substantiate the passing of the motorcycle operator from a major medical event. Our thoughts and care are with the family whom we are going to support as we’re able while they undergo this difficult time.”
The race continued but German public broadcaster ARD said it decided to finish its live stream as a gesture of respect.