A cyclist competing in a gruelling 5,500 kilometre endurance race has died after being hit by a truck along a highway in Western .
Chris Barker, 62, was struck on the Eyre Highway in Madura, just west of the South n border, while taking part in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race (IPWR) between 5.30am and 6am on Thursday.
Mr Barker, who entered the race under the name ‘Caveman’, tragically died at the scene, with police now investigating the circumstances around the crash.
It’s understood police believe the cyclist was struck by a truck heading in the same direction along the highway.
The IPWR is an annual cycling event spanning nearly 5,500km from the South Mole lighthouse in Fremantle, Perth, to the steps of the Opera House in Sydney.
Mr Barker is the second participant to die in the event, with British cyclist Mike Hall losing his life while participating in 2017.
Chris Barker, 62, died after being hit by a vehicle while cycling along the Eyre Highway, WA, on Thursday morning
Mr Barker is understood to have been struck by a truck on the highway in the 2024 Indian Pacific Wheel Race (pictured, Mr Barker entering the Eyre Highway)
Tributes are pouring in for Gage Fowler, who died in an ATV rollover early Sunday morning
Tributes have since flown for Mr Barker, with his son Aidan saying his dad died ‘doing something he loved’.
‘I can’t express how sad today is. Dad was doing something that he loved,’ he wrote to an online community group for the event.
‘I’ve never heard Dad talk so much about this one event in my life, today, my family lost a great person and so did his IPWR family.
‘My heart is broken, I thank you all.’
Mr Barker had covered 1,313km since starting on March 13.
He was in eighth place at the time of his death and it was Mr Barker’s sixth time taking part in the race.
Mr Barker had shared a selfie from the Eyre Highway, ‘s longest straight road, early on Thursday morning.
‘On the road soon after midnight, a nice light breeze blowing across my path,’ he wrote.
It is unclear if race organisers will cancel the event in the wake of Mr Barker’s death but numerous cyclists have reportedly since dropped out.
Mr Barker was representing New Zealand in the race and it was his sixth time participating
Mr Barker’s son, Aidan, said that his dad died ‘doing something he loved’
The gruelling event places the onus of responsibility on the athletes and its website states it is ‘solo [and] unsupported’.
‘Any person deciding to ride the IPWR course as their own endurance or bike touring challenge chooses to do so individually,’ the website reads.
‘The clock does not stop. There is no prize money. Nothing is at stake except honour.’
Another cyclist, in his 50s, was also struck by a car on the same highway and left seriously injured hours before Mr Barker was hit.
The man was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital in a stable condition on Thursday night.
Mr Barker was listed as representing New Zealand and other athletes participating in the event have posted tributes on his MAProgress profile – a platform used by cyclists to track each other using precise GPS coordinates.
‘Eternal smooth roads and tailwinds my friend xxx,’ one woman wrote.
‘We love you Chris, far out mate, much respect to you, brother, see you on the other side, so sorry,’ another man added.
The Indian Pacific Wheel Race has been contacted for comment.