An Irish man has been killed in a crash while on an adventure trip to Peru.
Peter Buckley (25), from Courtnacuddy, Co Wexford, was taking part in the Mototaxi Junket - a three-wheeled motorbike adventure trip from Cuzco to Piura - with his team when they were involved in the incident on Saturday, according to the company that organises the event.
Mr Buckley died from his injuries. The other member of the team, also an Irish man from Wexford, is receiving medical attention and is in a stable condition, the company said.
In a statement on its website, The Adventurists company said it was “deeply saddened” to announce the death of a participant in the event.
“Our sympathies and thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement added.
At least six teams of two Irish people are listed as participants. Some of those teams indicated online they had decided not to continue.
While it did not name the man who died, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was aware of the incident and said it was providing consular assistance to his family..
The Adventurists website describes the 4,500km bike run through deserts, mountain passes, and flooded rivers as taking place on “indescribably inaccessible terrain”.
Teams taking part in the Mototaxi Junket left from Cuzco on January 1st to take part in what is described as an "unsupported adventure to Piura in the north of Peru".
"Teams select their own route and take on the journey independently between the start and finish lines and raise money for the official event charities. It is organised by The Adventurists and is not a race, but an adventure about the journey teams experience along the way," the company says.
It said that for the safety of the other teams the event would continue so that those involved could continue to their final destination in Piura or another location of their choosing.
Documentation highlighted on a Facbook group set up by two of the Irish people taking part warns the event is a "highly dangerous adventure".
A spokesman said about 300 people had undertaken the Peru event since it was established in 2009. There had been no other fatalities.