A pilot dies and the co-pilot is left seriously injured after falling down a ravine in a rally in Mallorca
The vehicle participating in the Rally Challenge Mallorca 550 has plunged down a ravine on the Ma-10 road, at the height of Mortitx, in the direction of Lluc
PalmaA pilot has died and the co-pilot has suffered spinal injuries after the vehicle they were participating in plunged down a ravine during the sixth edition of the Rally 550 Challenge in Mallorca. The accident took place at kilometer 10 of the Ma-10 road, in the direction of Lluc from Pollença, near Mortitx, as reported by the Civil Guard.
Personnel from the Alcúdia and Inca stations of the Mallorca Fire Department traveled to the scene of the accident to descend to the area where the vehicle ended up and rescue the injured person and the body of the deceased victim.
For its part, the judicial committee traveled to the scene to proceed with the removal of the body. The Judicial Police unit of the Civil Guard of Inca has opened an investigation to clarify the circumstances under which the accident occurred, in which these two people, both of German nationality, were involved.
At the moment, it is unknown if it was caused by a bad maneuver at the wheel, a vehicle failure, or other causes, sources close to the case have indicated, reports Europa Press.
The rally is suspended after the accident
The sixth edition of the Rally Challenge 550 Mallorca was supposed to take place between October 8 and 10 on different roads of the island, but the event's organization has announced the suspension of the competition in a statement. As detailed, the accident occurred during the dispute of the stage between Pollença and Lluc.
After the death of one of the participants and the serious injuries suffered by his partner, the rally officials have decided to suspend all remaining timed stages and end both the competition and all related activities. The organization has defined the decision to suspend the event as "painful but firm and irrevocable," and has assured that it was taken "out of the deepest respect and the consideration that circumstances of this gravity deserve."
In the statement, the officials of the Rally Challenge of Mallorca have remarked that "there is no result, classification, or sporting objective that can be placed above what is truly important." Therefore, they have added: "The competition takes a back seat" so that "respect, humanity, and solidarity" may prevail. Finally, the organization has expressed its "deepest regret" for the events and has conveyed its most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of both the deceased participant and the injured co-pilot.