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Last Saturday (30), in Adelaide, Australia, according to Australian media outlets, Rohan Dennis and Melissa Dennis had suffered an accident while they were near the cyclist’s family home. The couple suffered injuries and were taken to the Royal Adelaide hospital, but the athlete did not survive and died.

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According to reports issued by the official South Australian Police websites, Rohan Dennis is accused of having facilitated the accident by dangerous driving, driving without due care and putting his life at risk. After the incident, the cyclist went to the police station to give a statement and was released on bail.

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Due to the news, family and friends shared a statement through the National Cycling Federation, AusCycling, in which they regret the accident and emphasize the athlete’s representation in the sporting category as well as in the personal lives of each relative present.

“Words cannot convey our pain, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing. Not only did we lose a daughter and a sister, but her children lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and enthusiasm for life. She was a rock of their lives and ours and we need to honor her memory so they can grow up knowing who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to everyone whose life she touched,” the statement said.

The announcement continued: “The wave of sadness and support overwhelmed us. In her short life, Melissa had many positive points of contact in and around the world. The funeral will be held in her hometown of Perth, with a memorial service in Adelaide following the Tour Down Under”.