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A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a triathlete during the bike leg of the Ironman European Championship in Hamburg.

Organisers said the rider, 70, who was carrying an official race photographer, suffered a "significant medical event" after the incident at 36km.

Police said the athlete, 26, was "seriously injured" and is in hospital, and the photographer suffered shock.

The motorcyclist and others involved have not been identified.

Germany's ARD broadcaster interrupted its live TV coverage after the incident.

The race, which consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 26.2km run, was interrupted but resumed later.

Police blocked the road at the scene of the accident and athletes had to dismount as the race was briefly diverted.

"According to initial indications, there was a head-on collision between the escort motorcycle and an oncoming race cyclist," said police, who added that the motorcyclist died at the scene.

In a statement, organisers said: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirmed the passing of a motorcycle operator during the Ironman European Championship Hamburg.

"At 36km of the Ironman Hamburg bike course, a credentialed motorcycle race vehicle collided with an age-group athlete who was riding on the racecourse in the opposite oncoming lane.

"An event photographer on the motorcycle, who was also injured during the collision, has since been released from hospital. The race participant remains in hospital for further treatment.

"We are devastated by this tragic accident."

It added: "On a day meant to be a celebration of the human spirit, we instead mourn the loss of a member of our triathlon community. Our sympathies are with all those affected.

"Our priority always is ensuring the safety of our participants and those involved in the event. A police investigation is ongoing and we are co-operating with local authorities to understand the events that lead to the accident."