French motorcycle Thomas Bourgin, who was taking part the 2013 Dakar rally raid with the KTM n.
106, was the victim of a fatal accident on the link route of today’s Stage 7, Calama-Salta, 806 km.
The accident took place at 08.
23 hours local time on the link route on the way up to the Chilean side of the mountain range.
Apparently, the 25-year-old rider collided with a Chilean police car that was travelling in the opposite direction, though the exact circumstances of the accident are not completely clear yet and are being subjected to an inquiry.
The rally’s medical teams deployed on the ground could just certify the rider’s death, which probably occurred instantly.
The tragedy follows another fatal accident that happened yesterday, when a vehicle of the organization bumped into two taxis resulting in 2 deaths and 7 people injuried.
Thomas Bourgin, from Saint Etienne, where he was born on December 23rd 1987, was in 68th place in the overall ranking of his first Dakar.
He had realised his passion since 2009 when he took part in the Morocco Rally, followed by a 4th place in the 2011 Africa Race and a 7th place finish in the Tunisia Rally.