Symons Fatal Accident in Dakar Rally
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Elmer Symons of South Africa was killed today during Stage 4 of the famous Dakar Rally.
The race used to be the Paris-Dakar, but only the African section remains. As such, the race goes from Morocco to Senegal in Africa over many days, through the sand dunes and anything else the desert can throw at the competitors.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, having crashed on his motorcycle. It was his inaugral Dakar, having been backup in previous years.
In the car section, Carlos Sainz, former World Rally Champion retained the lead, while Jean-Louis Schlesser won the stage. Mark Coma is the leader of the motorcycle section. Luc Alphand, an ex World Cup pedigree Skiier moved into sixth in the car section.
In 2006, a motorcyclist in the race was killed in Guinea, and two children were killed in Senegal when cars hit them. It is one of the most dangerous motor races in the world, along with the Isle of Man TT.
Source
- http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/09/sports/AF-SPT-CARR-Dakar-Rally.php
- http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6333369,00.html
