Top South African woman cyclist Carla Swart was killed on Wednesday in a road accident near Marquard in the Free State, Cycling SA said.
The cycling body said in a statement Swart, 23, died when a truck crashed into her while she was training on the road to Marquard in the morning.
Cycling SA team manager Barry Austin who saw the accident happen, said Swart turned around right in front of the oncoming truck moments after she had lost her cycling computer.
“I could see how the driver pushed as hard as he could on his brakes...the truck hit Swart full on, flinging her into the air,” the statement quoted Austin.
Swart died before she could reach a hospital.
She was doing time exercises when the accident happened.
Cycling SA said 2010 was a great cycling year for Swart who finished 10th in the women's race at the World Road Championship in Australia.
She was also 8th at the Commonwealth Games in India, finished 10th in a World Cup race and was going to HTC High Road, the top women's team, this year. -
Sapa