R.I.P. Eric Geboers: 1962-2018
Jean Turner | May 7, 2018
Former FIM Motocross World Champion Eric Geboers was tragically killed on Sunday, May 6 in his hometown of Mol, Belgium. Geboers was boating with friends at Lake Miramar, and jumped from the boat to save a dog that had fallen overboard. Eyewitnesses say Geboers disappeared beneath the water and never resurfaced. He was 55 years old.
Eric Geboers was considered one of the best motocrossers ever to come out of Belgium. Photo by CN Archives
The exceptionally cold water of Lake Miramar is likely to have played a role, as well as the strong currents in the deep lake. According to a report on local Belgian news outlet HLN.be, a friend tried to jump in to aid Geboers, but soon found himself in trouble due to the frigid temperatures, and was pulled back on board. The dog eventually swam to shore.
Rescue teams came to the scene with dive teams and sonar, searching until 1:00am to no avail. The search was resumed on Monday morning and Eric Geboers’ body was finally located and recovered on Monday afternoon.
Eric Geboers was a five-time FIM Motocross World Champion, and the first to be crowned in all three classes: 125, 250 and 500cc. He is considered one of the best motocrossers to come out of Belgium.
Eric Geboers on his way to a second-place finish at the 1986 Canadian 500 GP. Photo by CN Archives/Tom Strattman
