Triathlon: Irish triathlete bowled over by deer
Triathlete bucked out of contention by deer
An Irish cyclist is thanking his lucky stars – and more importantly his infallible helmet – after being bowled over by a deer during the Dublin City Triathlon.
Shane O'Reilly was caught in the right place at the wrong time when a herd of deer appeared out of the forest and charged into the race.
One stag tried to hurdle the unlucky O'Reilly, knocking him from his bike in a spectacular crash.
Fortunately, both animal and athlete escaped the incident unscathed with O'Reilly able to finish the race. (Twitter - Erik Scraggs)
The herd appeared from the forest in Dublin's Phoenix Park with O'Reilly the trailing rider in a group of three on the road. (Twitter - Triathlon Ireland).
Attribution: Not Supplied
One stag decides to take the aerial route over the road while the other animals evade the cyclists.
Attribution: Not Supplied(Twitter - Triathlon Ireland)
However, it can't get enough height and clips O'Reilly, bringing the Dublin native crashing to the road.
Attribution: Not Supplied(Twitter - Triathlon Ireland)
The triathlete is left bruised and battered while the deer makes a safe getaway in the woods beyond the road. (Twitter - Triathlon Ireland)
Attribution: Not Supplied
O'Reilly's helmet shows the battle scare of the close encounter. (Twitter)
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