French Dakar Rally Rider Pierre Cherpin Dies From Injuries After Fall
French motorcycle rider Pierre Cherpin died from injuries sustained after a fall during the Dakar Rally.
Highlights
-
French Dakar Rally rider Pierre Cherpin dies from injuries after fall
-
Cherpin becomes the race's first fatality this year
-
He died during his transfer by medical plane from Jeddah to France
French motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin has died from his injuries after a fall during the Dakar Rally, becoming the notoriously perilous race's first fatality this year, organisers said on Friday. Cherpin, 52, died during his medical transfer to France after he crashed at 178 kilometres (110 miles) per hour on Sunday. "During his transfer by medical plane from Jeddah to France, Pierre Cherpin died from the injuries caused by his fall," a statement said. Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves died last year during the race, which bills itself as the "world's toughest and biggest rally".
PIERRE CHERPIN PASSED AWAY
— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 15, 2021
During his transfer by medical plane, Pierre Cherpin died on Jan 14th from injuries caused by his fall during the 7th stage.
The Dakar caravan would like to extend its sincere condolences to his family, relatives & friends.https://t.co/ccJ4ctOU9D pic.twitter.com/zxQ9o49ENG
Cherpin, who was competing in his fourth Dakar Rally, was found unconscious after his crash and taken to hospital in Sakaka before he was airlifted to Jedda.
After emergency neurosurgery, the entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast had been in an induced coma and was in a stable condition ahead of his transfer to Lille.
"I am an amateur, I don't want to win but to discover landscapes that I would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise," he said earlier, according to the statement.
"Everything is exciting: riding the bike, living your passion, getting to know yourself."