French rider killed in Dakar Rally

Frenchman Pascal Terry has been found dead on the Dakar Rally in Argentina.

The 49-year-old was found after the fourth stage having been missing since Sunday’s second stage between Santa Rosa and Puerto Madrid.

Terry had notified race organisers on Sunday that he had run out of petrol on his Yamaha machine but it was believed he rejoined the rally with the help of another competitor.

Further efforts to contact Terry failed and search operations were launched without any success.

Reports say he was found by local police in dense vegetation after rescuers had initially found the terrain hard to conduct its search in. He had food and water beside him but was without his helmet. A police investigation has been launched into his death.

Terry is the first fatality on the legendary Dakar Rally in 2009, which for the first time in its history is being staged in South America. This year’s event was Terry’s first appearance.