The towing cable snapped, hitting Lang full in the face. A medical rescue helicopter arrived within 10 minutes and Lang was transported to hospital in Orenburg, Russia, in critical condition. He died from severe brain injuries the next morning.

The second fatality occurred on the special section of stage 6 following a collision between the French motorcyclist Philippe Tonin and a Kamaz team truck. Tonin succumbed to his injuries at the site of the accident, despite a prompt response from rescuers. His body was transported to Arkalik by helicopter and then by plane to the Kazakhstan capital, Astana.

As a result of these tragic events, organizer René Metge made the decision to cancel the next day’s special stage, and all the vehicles made the trip to Astana in convoy: A fitting tribute to Xu Lang and Philippe Tonin.