Fatal Luge Crash Mars Opening Day

Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old Georgian luger, died from head injuries suffered in a brutal crash in training today.

The CBC are the first to report that Kumaritashvili passed away, after a crash that looked unsurvivable. Going more than 90 mph toward the end of a training run this morning, he was launched from the track and slammed his head into a metal pole.

He was given mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions on the scene, to no avail. The track was closed and training canceled for the day. It remains to be seen how this will be handled at tonight's opening ceremonies.

Update here, with video.

Georgian luger dies after horrifying crash at Whistler track [Canwest]