The man, identified as an Italian tourist, was behind the dune out of the pilot’s field of vision at the time of the accident.
He died of injuries sustained while being transported to hospital by rescue helicopter. The organizing company ASO has announced that it has launched an investigation into the incident.
Reports are coming in that top truck driver Ales Loprais hit a spectator on stage today who later died. My thoughts are with the viewer’s loved ones, but also with Ales and his entire crew at this terrible time.
—DakarFlash (@FlashDakar) January 10, 2023
According to available data, about eight dozen people have lost their lives in the Dakar Rally since 1979, the exact number of deaths varies according to different sources. There were 27 contestants, the rest were members of the entourage, journalists and spectators. In 1986, Dakar Rally founder Thierry Sabine did not survive a helicopter crash during the race.
