At 12:25am CET on Wednesday 25th August, the UTMB® Mont-Blanc Race Committee was informed that a TDS®runner had a serious accident on the descent of the Passeur de Pralognan. This section of the course has been a part of many previous editions of the TDS®. There were dedicated safety and security resources present to support athletes in this part of the course.

The runner involved in the incident is a Czech national, and out of respect for the family, the organizers will respect their anonymity.

The rescue team at the top of the pass responded to the scene immediately after the accident. State services were then notified, with a request for helicopter support. Despite all the care given to him, the runner succumbed to his injuries. The runner's relatives have been informed.

The large family of trailers, and more particularly those of the UTMB®, are deeply saddened and join the organizers in offering their condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

Neutralization of TDS® at Passeur de Pralognan
During the helicopter evacuation, runners were stopped at the Passeur de Pralognan. Due to the duration of the evacuation effort, and to ensure the safety of the runners, the race committee determined that the safest course of action was to stop the race for some 1,200 runners who were instructed to turn around and go to Bourg Saint-Maurice.
The current focus of the race organization is to ensure the safe return of the runners to Bourg Saint-Maurice where they are being met and transported.
293 runners had already passed the Passeur de Pralognan before the accident and continued their race. They are expected to finish from 10am CET onwards at the Place du Triangle de l'Amitié in Chamonix.