A 70-year-old motorcyclist died during the ironman triathlon in Germany on Sunday after being involved in a head-on collision with a competitor, police said.
Police in Hamburg issued a statement on Sunday confirming that the cyclist, who was carrying a cameraman at the time, collided with a 26-year-old triathlete during a portion of the race where participants were using both lanes.
Athletes perform during the cycling stage at the IRONMAN Hamburg European Championships on June 4, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. (Alexander Koerner/Getty Images for Ironman)
The incident, which was caught on live coverage of the race, showed the athletes going in opposite directions on either side of the road with escort motorcycles driving in the middle.
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«At 36 (kilometres) (22 miles) into the IRONMAN Hamburg cycle route, a motorcycle racing vehicle, carrying an official race photographer, was involved in a collision with a race participant,» the officials said. Ironman organizers in an earlier statement.
“It is with our deepest regret that we confirm the death of the motorcycle driver due to a major medical event. Our thoughts and attention are with the family, whom we will support in any way possible as they navigate this difficult time.»
Triathletes are on the bike during the IRONMAN European Championships in Hamburg on June 4, 2023. (Georg Wendt/Image Alliance via Getty Images)
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According to the police, the triathlete was «severely injured» and the 50-year-old cameraman suffered «shock». Both were taken to the hospital. The motorcyclist died at the scene.
«The closure of the race track in the area of the crash site was unavoidable,» police said in a news release. «Coming from the city center, the athletes had to get off in front of the accident site and cross it over the embankment. In the direction of the city center, the race track was briefly diverted.»
A triathlete passes the accident site on the main Gaueter dyke on his bike during the IRONMAN European Championships in Hamburg on June 4, 2023. (Georg Wendt/Image Alliance via Getty Images)
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The live broadcast ended as a result of the fatal accident, but the race continued.
«We are devastated by this tragic accident,» a statement from race organizers later said. «On a day meant to be a celebration of the human spirit, we mourn the loss of a member of our triathlon community.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.