Eight days after his fall during the second stage of the Dakar 2024, Catalan motorcyclist Carles Falcon ceased to live and the historic rally-raid, which is now in its 46th edition, mourns another life. Since 1979, when it was born under the name Paris-Dakar, 28 competitors have died in the race. 23 were racing on motorbikes. But the total number of victims stands at 78, including creator Thierry Sabine, whose helicopter crashed into a dune in Mali in 1986.
The brain damage is too severe
Falcon was 45 years old and born in Tarragona. He did not overcome the consequences of the accident which occurred in the hamlet between Al-Henakiyah and Al-Duwadimi, in Saudi Arabia: head trauma with cerebral edema, fracture of the C2 cervical vertebra and cardiorespiratory arrest. The brain damage caused by lack of oxygen is too serious. The Portuguese Alexandre Azinhais was the first to spot it, at km 448 of the special. Having confirmed that he had no pulse, he performed resuscitation maneuvers for 15 minutes while waiting for help.
News of the death was announced by the Twin Trail team for which Falcon raced and which he had founded: “The medical team has confirmed that the neurological damage caused by the cardiorespiratory arrest at the time of the accident is irreversible. He left us.” .
Resuscitated on the circuit, the centaur was transported by helicopter first to Al-Duwadimi, then to the intensive care unit of Riyadh hospital. Here, further damage from the impact on the rocks appeared: five broken ribs and fractures to the left wrist and collarbone. Despite the urgency, the vertebral fracture operation was postponed because the cerebral edema did not allow it. Three days ago, doctors in Riyadh authorized the transfer of Falcon to Spain, already in critical condition.
Handle A computer scientist by profession, Falcon followed his passion for motorcycles. It was his second participation, after having managed to finish the 2022 edition
“We must remember him for his smile and the happiness he brought to everyone”
“Carles was a smiling person, always active, who passionately loved everything he did, especially motorcycles. He let us do something that was his dream, racing the Dakar. He had fun, he was happy in motorcycle. We must remember him for his smile and for the happiness he brought to everyone,” added the team. This was his second participation, after having managed to complete the 2022 edition. An IT professional, Falcon had followed his passion for motorcycling and founded the company which gave its name to the team, with its teammate Isaac Feliù, who accompanied him on his adventure. in the Dakar. “To his family, his loved ones, the organization and the competitors of the Dakar, they offer their most sincere condolences” communicated Amaury Sport Organization.
Handle “Carles was a smiling person, always active, who passionately loved everything he did”
