The Death of an Athlete

Three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna died on 1 May 1994, as a result of his car crashing into a concrete barrier while he was leading the Italian Grand Prix. The previous day, Roland Ratzenberger had died when his car crashed during qualification for the race.

In 2005, the Australian women’s cycling team were training in Germany, when a driver crossed on to the wrong side and hit the team head on, causing Amy Gillett, 29, fatal injuries.

Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died in hospital, two days after he was struck on the head by a cricket ball while playing in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground

South Australian jockey Caitlin Forrest has died in hospital overnight from injuries suffered in a fall at Murray Bridge yesterday. The 19-year-old had been leading the race when her horse broke down at the halfway stage, bringing down three other horses.

In 2005, in Honolulu, Tahitian surfer Malik Joyeux entered a wave which broke his board in two and sent the 24 year old underwater. His body washed on the beach 15 minutes later.