Western Australian Triathlete Killed as Van Hits Cyclists in Spain

Three people are reported to have died after the van hit a group of cyclists

The 34-year-old woman was among a group of cyclists hit by a van south of Barcelona.

A sports-linked foundation says the death of a 34 year old West Australian athlete killed in a road accident in Spain shows the need for motorists to be aware of cyclists.

The 34 year old woman and two others died after a cycling accident yesterday near Tarragona, south of Barcelona.

The Spanish news website El Mundo is reporting that a group of 60 cyclists was hit by a van.

The crash comes five years after 29 year old South Australian Amy Gillett was killed and two of her Australian teammates critically injured when a driver ploughed into the elite cycling team during a training run in Germany.

The CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation, Tony Fox, says his heart goes out to the woman’s family, friends and riding companions.

Mr Fox says the deaths are a tragic reminder of the need for awareness from motorists.

“Whilst the details are sketchy at the moment, the tragic deaths of these three people, one being an Australian, just highlight the need for motorists to be more aware and respectful of cyclists on our roads and obviously that’s not just in Australia but all around the world.”

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says consular staff from the Australian embassy in Madrid are assisting the woman’s travelling companions.

Australian officials will offer assistance to her family in WA.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/08/2866997.htm?section=justin