The 23-year-old Belgian cyclist Michael Goolaerts has tragically died whilst racing in the Paris-Roubaix road classic this afternoon.
Coming off his bike during a crash, France 3 reported that Goolaerts had to receive emergency CPR after suffering cardiac arrest.
Distressing scenes of medics tending to Goolaerts can be seen below.
BREAKING : rider Michael Goolaerts had a cardiac arrest and is on the way to the hospital #ParisRoubaix2018 #Goolaerts pic.twitter.com/o01lrbSp99
— TSR (@Snowman33000) April 8, 2018
According to a BBC report, Goolaerts was in a "life-threatening condition," and had been taken straight to hospital.
It is with great sadness and distress, that it has been confirmed Goolaerts injuries were fatal. A statement from Goolaerts team read as follows:
It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaerts.
They said Goolaerts died "in the presence of his family members and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts. For now there will be no further communication as we want to give his close ones time to deal with this terrible loss."
