A CHARITY fundraiser has died after crashing during a race inSouth America.
Peter Buckley, who lived in Edinburgh, was riding a three-wheeled converted motorcycle through the Andes when he was killed on Sunday evening.
The engineer had been competing in a 2000km “Mototaxi Junket” race across Peru with his childhood friend Eamonn O’Leary and several other friends, and the had raised about £4000.
It is believed the crash happened in mountainous terrain near the Peruvian city of Huancayo.
Organisers of the trip, The Adventurists, said it was the first death in seven events.
“The Adventurists are deeply saddened to announce the death of a participant,” they said.
“Our sympathies and thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this incredibly difficult time.”
They added that no other vehicles had been involved in the accident, although Mr Buckley is believed to have been travelling with another person in the mototaxi.
In a brief statement issued from Mr Buckley’s childhood home inIreland, his parents, Eamonn and Mary, said their son died from injuries sustained in the crash.
They said: “He was part of a group of eight friends doing a ‘Mototaxi Junket’ from Cuzco to Piura in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, Cancer Research UK and Practical Action”.
The family is now working with the Department of Foreign Affairs to brink Mr Buckley’s body back to the UK.
The Junket began at New Year and competitors were due to race fromCuzcoin the south of the country toPiurain the north
The route includes jungle tracks, rainforests and treacherous mountain passes in the Andes.
Though the remaining competitors immediately abandoned the race following the accident, organisers say saying it will remain open for anyone wishing to finish.
The incident is being investigated by local police but it is believed that no members of the Mototaxi Junket witnessed the accident
It is the seventh time the event has been staged since 2009 and about 200 two-man teams have previously taken part. According to organisers there has only been three or four serious injuries in that time.
He said: “We go to extreme lengths to make sure that everybody is aware of the risks that are involved in taking part.”
