Investigation Continues into Crash Involving World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Local police are actively investigating a recent head-on collision involving eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier in northeastern Poland. The crash between Ogier’s white Toyota and a local resident’s Ford occurred near the village of Wlosty, near Goldap, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, while the rally champion was on a reconnaissance run ahead of the Rally Poland event.
Ogier and the Ford’s driver were airlifted to a hospital, while his co-driver Vincent Landais and the female passenger from the other vehicle were taken by ambulances. Despite complaints of back pain, all four individuals were conscious and did not sustain major injuries, leading to their release from the hospital the following week.
Tragically, a 69-year-old Polish man, involved in the collision, passed away less than a week later. An autopsy is scheduled to determine if the man’s death is connected to the crash. The incident forced Ogier and Landais to withdraw from the Rally Poland, where Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen took the victory.
Sébastien Ogier, a dominant force in rally racing history with numerous accolades, had been preparing for the Poland race before the unfortunate crash. Despite the setback, his remarkable career includes six consecutive world titles from 2013-2018 and a total of 60 rally wins, making him one of the sport’s legends alongside compatriot Sebastien Loeb.
This development comes as a reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport, highlighting the need for continued safety measures and diligence on and off the track.
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