WASHINGTON — Prince William County Police say a cyclist has died following a crash with other participants at a World Police and Fire Games event Thursday.
Police say 48-year-old Carlos Silva of Brazil has died after colliding with two other cyclists. The other cyclists are being identified as a 44-year-old man and a 43-year-old man.
The crash happened when one of the bikes had a front tire blow out during the downhill portion of a cycling competition at Prince William Forest Park. The crash that occurred about 12:20 p.m. caused a chain reaction collision with other cyclists on the closed course on Scenic Drive near Turkey Run Road, police say.
Emergency crews transported the bikers to area hospitals. Three cyclists sustained serious injuries in the crash, and Silva died as a result of his injuries around 5 p.m.
The remaining two bicyclists are in critical condition.
All bicyclists were wearing proper safety equipment at the time of the crash, police add.
“On behalf of the Prince William County Police Department, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased athlete, Carlos Silva. Our thoughts and prayers are with the other injured athletes, fellow team mates, and the public safety family throughout the world,” said Acting Prince William County Police Chief Maj. Steve Thompson in a news release.
“This has been a horrible loss; we will do everything we can to support our injured colleagues,” Fairfax Police Chief Ed Roessler said in a Thursday night news conference.
A memorial vigil for Silva i set to take place at the Reston Town Center at 8 p.m. Friday. In attendance will be Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, public safety officials and World Police and Fire Games staff.
The games continue through Sunday, July 5, around the region.
