Motocross star dies after crash in desert involving small animal

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KTM rider Kurt Caselli of the U.S. talks to a KTM team member after the 14th stage of the Dakar Rally from La Serena to Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. The rally began on Jan. 5 in the Peruvian capital of Lima and wound its way south through the deserts and mountains of Peru, Argentina and Chile. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
KTM rider Kurt Caselli of the U.S. talks to a KTM team member after the 14th stage of the Dakar Rally from La Serena to Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. The rally began on Jan. 5 in the Peruvian capital of Lima and wound its way south through the deserts and mountains of Peru, Argentina and Chile. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)


American motocross rider Kurt Caselli has died after crashing during a race in Mexico when he reportedly hit an animal.

AFP reports that Caselli was racing on the Baja California peninsula and suffered serious head injuries in the fall.

The crash happened on Friday and initial reports suggested the 30-year-old had been killed when he hit an on-track booby trap.

KTM rider Kurt Caselli of the U.S. competes in the 1st stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally near Pisco, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. The race finishes in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 20. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
KTM rider Kurt Caselli of the U.S. competes in the 1st stage of the 2013 Dakar Rally near Pisco, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. The race finishes in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 20. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)



According to Sky News, Caselli's team KTM Racing said there were traces on his bike "that indicate he had collided with some small animal, which apparently caused the crash".

Speaking to Motorcycle USA, SCORE president Roger Norman said: "Our desert racing family has lost a very special person in Kurt. Kurt was a superb racer."

Caselli proposed to his girlfriend Sarah Jean White just two and a half months ago.

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