The helicopter took the man from Botswana out of the special as early as kilometer 48 after he made an ugly crash. Branch was medically checked and was able to walk himself to the helicopter but the Dakar 2025 is over for him.
Rally also over for Bradley Cox
Bradley Cox, who crashed 100 meters into the special, stopped after 48 km to be examined by the medical team. The South African has withdrawn from the stage. He was riding in the Rally GP category and cannot continue. He was in twelfth place overall and was the highest-placed privateer.