Cyclist dies after crash at Paralympics in Rio

A cyclist competing in the Paralympics at Rio has died after crashing during a race.

Iran's Bahman Golbarnezhad was taking part in the men's C4/C5 road race at the Rio Paralympics when the accident happened.

The International Paralympic Committee said Golbarnezhad, 48, was treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital nearby.

But he suffered a cardiac arrest en route, and died shortly after arrival.

Golbarnezhad was in 14th place in the time-trial on Wednesday, and also competed at the London 2012 Paralympics.

He was Iran's only cyclist at the Rio Games this year.

Paralympics GB and British Cycling have expressed their sympathies on social media.

Iran's National Paralympic Committee announced the news in a statement: "Regretfully, I.R.IRAN NPC announces that Mr. Bahman Golbarnezhad, passed away because of his accident during the competition.

"Golbarnezhad, 48, was involved in a crash at around 1040 (1440BST) on the first section of the Grumari loop, a mountainous stretch of the course."

The IPC statement added: "The athlete's family who are in Iran was informed this afternoon and the Iranian team was brought together in the Athlete Village earlier this evening and told of the news.

"An investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been launched."

The committee said that the Iranian flag has been lowered to half-mast in the athletes' village.

The Paralympic flag will be flown at half-mast in the village, and also at the Riocentro venue where Iran will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the sitting volleyball gold match on Sunday.

During Sunday night's closing ceremony, a moment of silence will be held.