Edwin Straver dead at 48: Dutch motorcyclist becomes second to die in treacherous Dakar Rally after crash

DUTCH motorcyclist Edwin Straver has become the latest victim to tragically lose their life while competing in this year's Dakar Rally.

The 48-year-old crashed 124 kilometres into stage 11 on January 16 before suffering a cardiac arrest.

Straver was resuscitated at the scene after taking emergency workers 10 minutes to get his heart beating again, .

He was airlifted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh where scans revealed he had broken a bone in his neck.

Straver was in critical condition for eight days before succumbing to his injuries.

He became the 30th racer to die since the first in 1979.

A statement from race organisers said: "The entire Dakar caravan would like to extend its sincere condolences to Edwin's family and friends."

He is also the second driver to die this year after the sad passing of Portuguese rider Paulo Goncalves following a horror crash.

The motorbike star suffered the fatal accident after 171 miles of the seventh stage of the Saudi Arabia desert race.

It is understood Hero Motorsports Team Rally rider Goncalves, who has finished in the races top 10 four times, also suffered a cardiac arrest.