The Losail 600 Cup race, supporting event to the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar, the opening round of the 2016 MotoGP World Championship, was red flagged on lap 10 of 15, in consequence of a multi-rider incident at Turn 3.
It happened on Friday, 18 March 2016 at the Losail International Circuit, located north of Doha, Qatar. Taoufik Gattouchi lost control of his yellow Honda CBR600 #67 on the approach to Turn 3 where another competing bike had a large oil leak. Reportedly, he slid off the track remaining unscathed. Unfortunately, Gattouchi suffered serious injuries when he was struck by oncoming riders who also skidded on the oil patch. He received immediate trackside medical attention and then he was transported by air ambulance to the Hamad Hospital in Doha, where resuscitation continued. Sadly, Gattouchi succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
49-year-old Taoufik Gattouchi was from Tunisia; his given name is reported to be Taoufik, Tawfeeq or Tawfeek, depending on the source. He was the second Tunisian rider who lost his life in racing accident within three months; on 14 January 2016 Talel Hamzaoui was killed during the Rallye de la Lune.
