The Dakar Rally is often touted as one of the toughest and most dangerous motorsports events in the world. That’s not an understatement either. Since 1979, over 50 lives have been claimed by the event, whether its racers or spectators. Everybody who participates and attends the Dakar Rally know this inherent risk, which is why it doesn’t come as a shock when a particular staging of the Dakar Rally is known more for who died as much as it is who won.
Sadly, the 2015 Dakar Rally is only three stages old and we now have the unfortunate job to report that it has taken its first life.
39-year old Polish biker Michal Hernik died to causes that are still unknown at this point. What we do know based on numerous reports is that race organizers immediately dispatched an ambulance helicopter when Hernik, who was riding a 450 Rally Replica KTM, failed to show up at the end of the stage, well past the normal time anyone can complete the stage. Organizers were also concerned that his tracker stopped transmitting, making communication with the driver impossible.
The search took 40 minutes where Hernik’s body was eventually found at kilometer 306 of the stage, about 1,000 feet off the course’s path. When the body was discovered, organizers said that Hernik “did not show any external signs of an accident,” which has led to a lot of speculation as to the cause of his death.
It’s a sad state of affairs, especially for the family of Michal Henrik. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, as well as to his friends, team, and fans.
Click past the jump to read more about Michal Henrik’s death.
Michal Hernik Dies While Competing at 2015 Dakar Rally originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 8 January 2015 09:00 EST.
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