Dubai: Former Arab triathlon champion Roy Nasr was killed while another was injured when a drunk driver hit them as they were cycling early on Friday morning near Safa Park interchange, Gulf News has learnt.

Nasr, 49, and a cycling friend whose name was not immediately available, were hit from behind by a car when the drunk driver swerved past the cyclists’ escort vehicle as they pedalled towards Meydan, said a senior police official.

Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Chief of Dubai Police Traffic Department, said the driver, who was under the influence of alcohol, rammed into the hapless victims. “A cyclist was killed after he was hit by a car on the Safa Park bridge early morning and another cyclist was also injured in the accident and was rushed to hospital,” said Maj Gen Al Zafein.

Police arrested the driver and a case will be transferred to Traffic Public Prosecution. According to initial reports, the accident occurred around 5:30am near Safa Park while the cyclists were crossing over to Shaikh Zayed Road.

Nasr, who was COO of Abela & Co, was a past Arab Triathlon champion and finished third at the 2011 World Triathlon Championships in Beijing. His close friend Ian Le Pelley, with whom he co-founded TriDubai, was lost for words as he confirmed the sad news to Gulf News. “Sad, very sad. I am lost for words,” Le Pelley said.

Nasr, a former Vice-President of HR and Development at Emirates Catering, was one of the most active triathletes in the region. After forming the TriDubai club, Nasr organised a full triathlon series this season starting with the Jones Lang La Salle Super Sprint Triathlon, due to take place at the Jebel Ali Golf Hotel on October 12.

- Also reporting Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter and Janice Ponce de Leon, Staff Reporter