Dakar Death

[Mustang]

Death of Andy Caldecott

The organisers of the 28th edition of the Dakar have learnt today, Monday the 9th of January 2006, the death of KTM rider n°10 Andy Caldecott.

At km 250 of stage 9 between Nouakchott and Kiffa, on a fast portion, the Australian biker suffered a bad crash. and died.

Aware of the accident at 11:31AM, the rally headquarters immediately sent a medical helicopter that landed at 11:55 AM on the scene of the accident. The doctors unfortunately could only note the death of the biker that according to them struck immediately.

Andy Caldecott, 41 years of age, was competing in his third Dakar. He had finished 6th of the 2005 edition and was currently 10th overall of this edition after having won stage 5 between Nador and Er-Rachidia in Morocco.

[dydzi]

he died yesterday
he wasn't even planning to compete in today's dakar, but came for some other guy who was injured and couldn't start at dakar
ge was really talented; it was just his third dakar and he has already managed to win a stage


because of that accident bikes weren't competiting today, they only rode to the end of the stage

[nota]

Its really sad, he's a local legend. Only yesterday I said to wife "watch this guy go he's a real talent"

Vale Andy Caldecott

http://www.abc.net.au/southeastsa/stories/s1019091.htm

[jorismo]

Yeah, this is Dakar... No wonder people say it's the hardest and most dangerous rally in the world.

But nontheless my thoughts are with his family

[whiteballz]

legend. will miss watching his talent.

[Evil Ewok]

It's interesting that a lot of the motorcyclists have been dieing as of late in the dakar. Some of the best especially.

[h00t_h00t]

I wonder if some of the deaths are from riders over-estimating their abilities. Its all fine when you are practicing along some dirt track you've been down before, but nobody can remember the entire dakar rally can they?

[Matra et Alpine]

I wonder if some of the deaths are from riders over-estimating their abilities. Its all fine when you are practicing along some dirt track you've been down before, but nobody can remember the entire dakar rally can they?

Even if you COULD remember it it would be useless as some of it is over dunes which change dramatically and the rains even substantially change the roads and on top of that riders will often take shortcuts.

Driving/riding the Dakar is all about what you OBSERVE.
Bikes are particularly dangerous as soft sand grabs front wheels and flips bikes

[F1_Master]

I'm confused...how many times do they run this Dakar event? Every time I hear of a death, its during different seasons of the year....

[Matra et Alpine]

THE Dakar is this time of year.

other events may get described as "dakar" meaning they are "raid" events.

Not knowing where you are or get your info it doesn't help us give an explanation !!