RIO DE JANEIRO - Cyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad has died following a crash in the men's C4/C5 road race at the Rio Paralympics, Iran's national Paralympic committee has announced.
Golbarnezhad, from Shiraz, was treated at the scene of the accident before being taken to a local hospital.
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Iranian Paralympian dies in Rio crash
Hours before the tragic news of Bahman Golbarnezhad's death emerged, Australian cyclist Alistair Donohoe collided with a Ukrainian cyclist as they sprinted towards the finish line. (Video courtesy Sunrise)
Iran's NPC later announced he had died. He was 48.
The road races began at Pontal and included the Grumari circuit incorporated in the Rio Olympics road races.
![Iranian paracyclist Bahman Golbarnezhad, 48, has died after a serious crash during the men's C4-5 road race at the ...](/web/20160919144406im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/i/r/k/6/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.grirkb.png/1474166062474.jpg)
The Vista Chinesa circuit - which included a treacherous descent where Holland's Annemiek van Vleuten crashed into the curb, sustaining heavy concussion - was not part of the Paralympic course.
RIP Bahman Golbarnezhad! Iranian Paralympic(bicycle) lost control and crashed into the asphalt breaking his neck. pic.twitter.com/DShAbgDj0I
— Iran Sports News (@IranSportsNews) September 17, 2016
Golbarnezhad was 14th in the time-trial on Wednesday and also competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. He was Iran's sole cyclist at the Rio Games.
Iran's NPC said in a statement: "Regretfully, I.R.IRAN NPC announces that Mr. Bahman Golbarnezhad, passed away because of his accident during the competition."
Saturday's race was won by Daniel Abraham of Holland, with Brazil's Lauro Chaman second and Andrea Tarlao of Italy third.
AAP