Third Cycle Tour death mourned

Three tour fatalities after marshal succumbs in hospital

ORGANISERS of the Cape Town Cycle Tour have confirmed that a Rotary marshal died in hospital – bringing to three the number of deaths during this year’s event. Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust marketing, media and sponsorship director David Bellairs confirmed yesterday that the marshal was stationed on an S-bend after the Llandudno turn-off. The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as it was still under investigation.

“It’s extremely sad. We are still unsure about the exact details surrounding the accident and how it took place,” Bellairs said.

He added that the Rotary marshals had always been integral to the successful running of the Cycle Tour.

“Most of them work alongside us year after year in a voluntary capacity. They are part of the Cycle Tour family, as are our riders, and we are deeply saddened by this news. We ask for respect for the family’s privacy at this time. We will communicate further information when we have it, if appropriate,” Bellairs said.

This is the latest death to overshadow the Cape Town Cycle Tour which took place on Sunday. The two other people died in separate crashes on the route.

A 40-year old man died in a pile-up and another died from a suspected heart attack.

“In my 28 years working on the Cycle Tour, there have been only two trauma-related deaths on the day of Cycle Tour. Our hearts and prayers are with the families at this very sad time,” Bellairs said.

Throughout the day of the Cycle Tour, over 160 participants received medical attention. Around 78 were transferred to hospital, where two participants are thought to have suffered heart attacks.

“The vast majority of those injuries were minor injuries that received medical attention. We constantly urge our participants to be extremely cautious and vigilant when participating on the day of the event,” Bellairs said.

He said that as organisers it is hard to exactly track and monitor those incidents.

“It’s very difficult for us to monitor all of this. We do have a very responsive medical team that does its best to respond quickly to those accidents, but it’s difficult,” Bellairs said.

For the first time in history, the Cycle Tour commenced from its new starting point on the Grand Parade. –