Cyclist dies of heart attack at Amashova
The Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic has been hit by tragedy.
A cyclist suffered a heart attack while competing near Hillcrest, on Sunday morning.
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About 9 000 cyclists had been making their way down to Durban from Pietermaritzburg, in the 106km race.
eThekwini Metro Police Spokesperson, Parboo Sewpersad says a decision was taken to cut off the race at Botha's Hill, because of soaring temperatures made race conditions dangerous.
"A decision was taken by the organisers and emergence services including metro police, that the cut off point had to be moved forward. There were 400 cyclists that were still left behind the cut off point. They had to be picked up and brought to the finish line," he said.
In a Facebook statement posted on the Tsogo Sun Amashova page, race director, Annie Batchelder said the safety of the cyclists participating in the race is top priority.
"Our decision to stop the race and get the cyclists off the road was supported by the Joint Operation’s Centre, which is a collective of a number of senior decision makers from various departments related to the organisation of the event," says Batchelder.
"The Tsogo Sun Amashova team conveyed their deepest condolences to the cyclist’s family on his passing," the statement read.
