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Man dies near Alice Springs after being hit by a vehicle during Finke Desert Race

A witness said a "trophy truck" came over a sand dune, "bounced, and then they just veered to the left".

A witness said a "trophy truck" came over a sand dune, "bounced, and then they just veered to the left".

A spectator has died and two people have been injured at the Finke Desert Race near Alice Springs.

Northern Territory police confirmed the man died after being struck by a vehicle on Monday morning, 35 kilometres from the start/finish line.

The man in his 60’s was a spectator at the event and died at the scene.

The area has been cordoned off and competitors have been diverted from the area, which has been declared a crime scene.

A male spectator in his 50’s was also injured in the incident and he was taken to Alice Springs Hospital.

The female navigator of the vehicle, aged in her 50’s, received minor injuries and was also taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for NT Health says both are in a stable condition.

Motorsport Australia confirmed on its Facebook page arrangements will be made with police for vehicles stopped on the course at various locations on the Finke Track to be recovered by crews.

They also confirmed the car section of the race has been concluded by the clerk of the course.

According to the race website, the Tatts Finke Desert Race is an off-road multi-terrain two-day race for bikes, cars, buggies and quads through desert country from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke).

Held annually on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June, it’s one of the biggest annual sporting events in the Northern Territory.

The race is one of the most difficult off-road remote courses in the world.

Alice Springs man Daymon Stokie, the 2017 Finke Desert Race champion, died at the at the Finke racetrack in January 2018 after  coming off his motorcross bike during Deep Well Enduro event.

-AAP

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