French motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin dies in Dakar rally crash

French motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin has passed away from his injuries after a fall during the Dakar Rally.

Organizers said on Friday that the incident has become the notoriously perilous race’s first fatality this year.

According to the international news agency, Cherpin, 52, has died during his medical transfer to France after he crashed at 178 kilometers (110 miles) per hour on Sunday.

A statement reads, “During his transfer by medical plane from Jeddah to France, Pierre Cherpin died from the injuries caused by his fall.”

Cherpin was found unconscious after his crash. He was taken to the hospital in Sakaka before he was airlifted to Jedda. 

The entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast had been in an induced coma and was in a stable condition after emergency neurosurgery. He was then transferred to Lille.

According to the statement, he earlier said, “I am an amateur, I don’t want to win but to discover landscapes that I would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise,”

“Everything is exciting: riding the bike, living your passion, getting to know yourself.”

PIERRE CHERPIN PASSED AWAY

During his transfer by medical plane, Pierre Cherpin died on Jan 14th from injuries caused by his fall during the 7th stage.

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The Dakar caravan would like to extend its sincere condolences to his family, relatives & friends.https://t.co/ccJ4ctOU9D pic.twitter.com/zxQ9o49ENG

— DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 15, 2021