Two people
have died in a crash at a vintage car race at the German staging of the World
Rally Championship. The accident overshadowed the main event, with stages
canceled for the rest of the day.
The
fatalities on Saturday took place at a section of track where a vintage car
demonstration was being held between main race sessions at the Rally of
Germany, near to the city of Trier.
Both driver
and passenger died in the crash, close to the notoriously difficult
"Gina" road jump, which propels vehicles some 40 meters (131 feet)
into the air. The car involved, a Triumph TR7, came off the road with the
occupants of the vehicle sustaining fatal injuries.
Police said
the accident occurred a little after 2:30 p.m. local time (1200 GMT).
"Two
Dutch participants died in an accident on Saturday for yet unknown reasons at
the historic demonstration race 'Classic.' Despite immediate rescue efforts the
two men died on the spot," said police said in a statement.
"Everyone
associated with the event extends their deepest sympathies and condolences to
the families, friends and individuals who are being touched by today's terrible
tragedy," race organizers ADAC said in a statement.
The last
three stages of the main race that were planned for Saturday were canceled,
although two stages were to be run on Sunday. The site of the accident, the
Arena Panzerplatte, is a former tank training facility.
The
accident follows the death two weeks ago of two German female drivers who were
killed in a crash at the 54th Wartburg Rally near the Thuringian town of
Eisenach.
rc/hc (AP, AFP, Reuters)
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