Spectator dies as new tragedy hits Dakar

The Dakar Rally's grim reputation as the world's deadliest race claimed another victim last weekend when a female spectator was killed on the opening stage of the gruelling 9,000km event.

Four other fans were also hurt in the incident which happened near the town of Rio Cuarto, around 800kms from Buenos Aires when a car careered off course.

"A 28-year-old woman has died. She suffered serious injuries to the head as well as the stomach and pelvis," Norberto Brusa, a doctor at the Cordoba hospital, told TN television.

"She suffered two heart attacks during her transfer to the hospital. Despite our best efforts, she died soon after arriving."

Of the four people injured, two were airlifted along with the woman, who was named as Natalia Gallardo, to Cordoba from the rally course.

"A young man of 24 suffered leg fractures while a nine-year-old child was taken to a paediatric hospital and is in a stable condition," added Brusa.

"Two others have less serious injuries and are being treated at the local hospital in Rio Cuarto."

The accident involved a 4x4 vehicle driven by German-Czech duo Mirco Schultis and Ulrich Leardi which came off the track before colliding with the group of fans.

"Competitor number 418 (Schultis-Leardi) collided with a group of spectators at the 75kms mark of the special stage outside the 'public zone' (a secured area reserved for spectators)," said a statement released by the organisers.

Five 'public zones', set up along the route of the first stage, were planned to provide a safe and secure viewing area for spectators.

In all, there are 57 such areas set aside on the event's 14 stages.

"The organisers and local authorities appeal once again to the people to show the greatest care and respect the public zones," said a race source.

The Dakar Rally, which was switched to South America last year because of increasing security concerns in its traditional African home, is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous events in the world.

In 2009, French motorcyclist Pascal Terry was killed while racing in the fourth stage while two men died when their support lorry was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Chile.

Since the race's inception in 1979, more than 50 people involved in the event have been killed.

Saturday's tragedy overshadowed the action which saw Spain's Nani Roma win the car stage, taking his BMW to a commanding victory on the 294kms timed run from Buenos Aires.

Roma, the 2004 Dakar champion on two wheels, finished over two minutes ahead of compatriot, and former world rally champion Carlos Sainz, driving a Volkswagen, while another BMW pilot Stephane Peterhansel, of France, was third.

Yesterday, France's David Fretigne, of Yamaha, won the second stage of the motorcycling category, a 294 km timed stage from Cordoba to La Rioja.

Compatriot David Casteu, of Sherco, retained the overall race lead after coming in second on the day 43 seconds adrift.