'Terrible news': Targa Tasmania rocked by third death in 24 hours
Two more competitors have been killed at the Targa Tasmania rally car race in a devastating 24 hours for the Australian motorsport industry.
A driver and co-driver were killed in a fatal crash on the final day of the event near Cygnet in southern Tasmania on Saturday.
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The tragedy occurred just 24 hours after fellow competitor Shane Navin was killed on Friday in the second-last stage of the race.
Saturday's crash occurred on Wattle Grove Road.
Targa Tasmania officials said police have closed the road and emergency services are in attendance.
Police have confirmed a Targa Tasmania driver and co-driver are dead following a crash near Cygnet this morning.
It's the 2nd and 3rd Targa fatality in 24 hours.@abchobart— Chris Rowbottom (@chrisroww) April 24, 2021
It is the fourth fatal crash in the event's 26-year history.
Veteran competitor Navin, 68, was killed on Friday when his red 1979 Mazda RX-7 rolled about 10am on the Lyell Highway in the state's remote west.
Co-driver Glenn Evans was uninjured.
"This is a very sad time for the Targa community," Targa Australia chief executive Mark Perry said.
"Shane was a much loved and admired member of our Targa family,"
"We send our heartfelt condolences to Shane's family and friends on their loss."
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Emergency crews were unable to revive Navin after the crash, about 35 kilometres into the Mount Arrowsmith stage of the race.
The 2000km Targa Tasmania event began on April 19.
Police are investigating the fatalities and reports will be prepared for the coroner.
In 2013, 71-year-old NSW driver John Mansell was killed when his Porsche ran off the road and into a tree at Exton.
Melbourne navigator Ian Johnson died in 1996 after a crash in the state's northwest.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Navin's family and his loved ones at this difficult time," police said in a statement.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein also extended his sympathies to Navin's friends and family.
"Any death on our roads is tragic," he said.
Terrible news, @abcnews reporting 2 more deaths in the #TargaTasmania with a driver and co-driver killed this morning 😳 https://t.co/QkSFZeR5IN
— Damien Bryan (@DamienBryan79) April 24, 2021
Can’t remember the last time anyone was killed doing targa let alone 3 😞
— scott (@Gopies2020) April 24, 2021
Terrible. Isn’t it time (...overdue...) to make this a virtual event? I suspect it would be a great success, around the world...
— prigby (@PaulPrigby) April 24, 2021
with AAP
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