A street course around the Estadio Murillo Toro in Ibagué, Departamento de Tolima in central Colombia, hosted the "Segunda Válida Ciudad Musical de Motociclismo del Tolima" on Monday, 03 July 2023. The motorcycle event, organised by the Liga de Motociclismo del Tolima and promoted by Ibagué Municipality, was marred by disorganization and lack of security for riders and spectators. The race day was overshadowed by a number of accidents that resulted in the death of a competitor and at least seven other people injured, some of whom were listed in critical condition.
The first accident occurred about 14h15, when a spectator tried to cross the track. He was struck by a motorcycle, the spectator was injured. Two other spectators were injured as well as the rider involved in the crash.
Approximately 16h00, a motorcyclist who was in competition lost control of his bike and crossed a median divider separating two straights, ending up to the other lane. He violently collided with another competitor coming from the opposite direction at high speed, who was unable to avoid impact and died as a result. The man was identified as Gabriel Díaz González.
All the injured persons, five riders and three spectators, were transferred to the Clinica Asotrauma and the Hospital Federico Lleras Acosta, where Gabriel Díaz González was pronounced dead on arrival. Owing to the tragedy, the race was immediately suspended and the event was abandoned.
Nicknamed by friends as "Garfield", Gabriel Díaz González was 28 years old. His dream was to become a professional motorcycling rider. He lived in Las Ferias, neighborhood of Ibagué, at the time of his death.
R.I.P
