Dakar 2024: motorbike rider involved in an accident and placed in an induced coma

Spanish motorbike racer Carles Falcón has been placed in an induced coma, Ole reports citing EFE.

During the third day of the competition, Falcón suffered brain oedema with fractured vertebrae on a difficult terrain of rocks and is in an induced coma. He will undergo emergency surgery.

The official Dakar website reports that the 46-year-old Spaniard crashed on the 448th kilometre of the special stage. The incident was reported by a rider who was riding behind him. The victim was taken to hospital by a medical helicopter that arrived at the scene.

Ole with reference to officials also states that Falcon at the time of arrival of the helicopter had no pulse.

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It is worth recalling that this year's Dakar 2024 Rally Raid takes place in Saudi Arabia from 6 to 19 January. The marathon consists of several disciplines: cars, motorbike, quad bike, trucks.

Falcon is representing Team Twintrail at Dakar 2024. In 2022, he was 68th in the final standings among motorcyclists. At Dakar 2022, his teammate Isaac Feliu had a severe accident, which greatly affected Carles.