Friday, July 3, 2015

World Police & Fire Games athlete dies in bike crash in Virginia

Kinsey Grant, WRC-TV/NBC4:

A competitor in the World Police and Fire Games died Thursday evening after he was hurt in a cycling crash Thursday afternoon, Prince William County Police said in an update. Two other riders were in critical condition after the devastating accident.

The rider was identified as Carlos Silva, 48, of Brazil. He died about 5 p.m. Thursday. The two injured competitors are a 43-year-old man and a 44-year-old man, police said. 

News reports indicate that Carlos Silva was an investigator with the Civil Police of the Federal District of Brazil

WUSA9.com:

One bicyclist was killed and two others were seriously injured after a cycling crash at the World Police and Fire Games Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened on the Loop, a 7.5 mile paved, windy road with hills at the Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Va.

Prince William County police say the riders, all from Brazil, were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The two other riders remain in serious condition.

According to police, the crash was triggered when one of the riders sustained a front tire blowout, which caused a chain reaction with the other cyclists.

The deceased bicyclist was identified as 48-year-old Carlos Silva. The two other cyclists are a 44-year-old man and a 43-year-old man. Police have not released their names.

Riders familiar with the Loop say it’s a tough course and can be dangerous for those who are not familiar with the road. The injured cyclists were coming down a steep, curvy hill over Quantico Creek.

The incident happened around noon, and the competition at the park ended shortly after.

The World Police and Fire games are an athletic competition featuring law enforcement officers from all over the world.

Official statement:

Joint Statement from Chairman Sharon Bulova; Police Chief Ed Roessler; Fire Chief Richard Bowers; Sheriff Stacey Kincaid; Dave Rohrer, Deputy County Executive for Public Safety; Bill Knight, President & CEO, Fairfax 2015 Inc; Michael Graham, President, World Police & Fire Games Federation; and Robert Vogel, Regional Director, National Park Service, National Capital Region

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2015

We are deeply saddened that an athlete participating in the World Police & Fire Games passed away today at the cycling event in Prince William County. Two other athletes are severely injured. Please join us as we keep these athletes, their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this tragic and challenging time.

No comments:

Post a Comment