A 28-year-old man died in Villa Gesell, Argentina, on Saturday after crashing his motorcycle into dunes in the northern part of the district. The accident occurred during the 31st edition of the Enduro del Verano, a major motorcycle and quad race in Latin America, drawing over 1,300 pilots and thousands of spectators, according to local media reports.
The rider was reportedly traveling without a helmet or protective gear when he encountered a sudden drop in the dunes, according to reports from 0223 and Radio 10 Mar del Plata. The severity of the fall led to critical injuries, and despite rapid response from firefighters and paramedics, his condition deteriorated quickly.
Medical personnel arrived at the scene and immediately began resuscitation efforts, including intubation, adrenaline administration, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transport to a local hospital. However, the man was pronounced dead upon arrival, having suffered irreversible injuries.
This incident follows another serious accident in the Gesell dunes just days prior, where a young woman overturned a UTV vehicle and was rushed to Mar del Plata in critical condition. She has since been transferred to a clinic in Buenos Aires for continued recovery. The woman, identified as influencer and entrepreneur Florencia Rastelli Mella, sustained severe injuries in the UTV crash, as reported by 0223.
The Enduro del Verano, which ran from February 20th to 22nd, is a highly anticipated event for motorcycle and quad enthusiasts. The 2026 competition, the 31st edition, took place on a circuit located at kilometer 408 of Route 11. Entry to the event was free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or school supply.
The recent tragedies have reignited debate surrounding safety measures at the event and in dune racing generally. The lack of protective gear worn by the deceased rider has drawn particular scrutiny. The event organizers have not yet released a statement regarding the accidents or potential changes to safety protocols.
The Enduro del Verano was selected as one of 17 races worldwide to be part of the FIM Sand Races World Cup, a recognition of its growing international significance, according to Gesell.gov.ar. The 2023 edition of the race, the 28th, featured over 1300 participants and attracted an estimated 130,000 spectators.