South African motorcyclist dies during Dakar Rally

[totalmotorcycle]

South African motorcyclist dies during Dakar Rally
January 9, 2007 - The Canadian Press 2007



OUARZAZATE, Morocco (AP) - Motorcyclist Elmer Symons died Tuesday in a crash during the Dakar Rally, organizers said.

The 29-year-old South African was killed on the fourth stage from Er Rachidia to Ouarzazate in Morocco. Organizers said Symons crashed about 140 kilometres into the stage. A helicopter medical team rushed to his aid, but he was pronounced dead.

No further details were immediately given.

Daily TV coverage of the Dakar Rally is available on the Outdoor Life Network (12 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m. PT/1 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 9 p.m., MT).

Symons, who was competing in his first Dakar after being an assistant on previous races, had been in 18th place overnight.




Jean-Louis Schlesser of France won the stage, and Carlos Sainz of Spain retained the overall lead. Schlesser and his Schles-Ford-Raid car finished in three hours 59 minutes 54 seconds for his 14th career stage win.

Carlos Sousa of Portugal was second in 4:07:46 and Sainz finished third in 4:07:52.

Sainz leads third-stage winner Giniel de Villiers of South Africa by 1:55, and Sousa by 4:20 - giving Volkswagen a 1-2-3.

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Deaths have long marred the African desert race.

Last year, 41-year-old Australian motorcyclist Andy Caldecott died after injuring his neck on the longest stage from Nouakchott to Kiffa in Mauritania.

Two children were also killed in separate accidents - in Guinea and Senegal - after being hit by vehicles passing through packed desert villages.

Two years ago, 2001 and 2002 champion Fabrizio Meoni of Italy and Juan Manuel Perez of Spain, both motorcyclists with KTM, were killed.

Race director Etienne Lavigne had not yet decided whether Wednesday's fifth stage would be cancelled, or what kind of memorial service would be held for Symons.

"There will be a briefing this evening when all the competitors get back," race spokesman Philippe Sudres said by telephone.