BOONE, N.C.,None — North Carolina Highway Patrol officials said a competitor in a bike race during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has been killed in a crash while traveling a downhill slope of the 65-mile endurance contest.
Trooper Ben Young said the accident happened Friday morning.
Young said the victim was 35-year-old Erik O. Lie-Nielsen of Winston-Salem.
Grandfather Mountain spokeswoman Landis Wofford said the rider was about seven miles into the ride when he apparently lost control of his bike near the Spanish Oaks community and crashed into a vehicle in the oncoming lane.
Lie-Nielsen was taken to Watauga Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Wofford said about 130 riders are participating in the Grizzly Bike Race this year as part of the games.
WSOC
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