Motorsport was mourning its second death in the space of a week after Italian Marco Simoncelli was killed in a crash at the Malaysian Moto GP.
The Gresini Honda rider lost control of his bike on the second lap of the circuit in Sepang and appeared to be hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track.
The 24-year-old's helmet came off in the collision and he was taken to the medical centre for treatment, but died from his injuries.
Simoncelli's death comes exactly a week after British racing driver Dan Wheldon, a former IndyCar champion and two-time Indy 500 race winner, was killed in a 15-car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Buckinghamshire driver was 33.
The organisers cancelled Sunday's race as soon as the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became apparent.
Speaking at a press conference following the tragedy, medical director Dr Michele Macchiagodena said of Simoncelli: 'Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.
'When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation).
'Immediately in the medical centre, with the help also of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.
'The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.'
A statement on the MotoGP official website read: 'On Sunday 23rd October, during the MotoGP race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini's Italian rider Marco Simoncelli suffered a serious accident in which he received critical injuries.
'The race was stopped immediately with the red flag and Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him.
'Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.
'Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss.'
Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa had a dispute with fellow factory Honda rider Simoncelli earlier this season, but news of his rival's death left last season's championship runner-up reeling.
Repsol Honda's Pedrosa said: 'In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.
'It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock.
'Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters.'
Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.
His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'
Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.
His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'
Newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner admitted immediately after the crash he had feared for Simoncelli.
'As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside,' the Australian told BBC2.
'Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign.'
Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders.
Briton's Jenson Button wrote on his Twitter account: 'R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel...'
British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow wrote on Twitter: 'RIP Marco Simoncelli! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today.'
Formula One driver Mark Webber tweeted: 'R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock..mark.'
A message on Simoncelli's Gresini Honda team website read simply 'CIAO "SUPER SIC"'.
The Rizla Suzuki team wrote: 'All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today's tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marco's family and friends during this time of great loss.
'R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 - 23 October 2011 - A true competitor
.'
The Gresini Honda rider lost control of his bike on the second lap of the circuit in Sepang and appeared to be hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track.
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| Marco Simoncelli's father is comforted as he waits outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix |
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| Moment of horror: Simocelli loses control on the second lap before fatally colliding with Colin Edwards as Valentino Rossi ahead manages to escape |
The organisers cancelled Sunday's race as soon as the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became apparent.
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| Tragedy: Race marshalls attend to Honda rider Simoncelli (C) following his fatal crash just four minutes after the start of the Malaysian MotoGP race |
'When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation).
'Immediately in the medical centre, with the help also of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.
'The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.'
A statement on the MotoGP official website read: 'On Sunday 23rd October, during the MotoGP race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini's Italian rider Marco Simoncelli suffered a serious accident in which he received critical injuries.
'The race was stopped immediately with the red flag and Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him.
'Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.
'Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss.'
Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa had a dispute with fellow factory Honda rider Simoncelli earlier this season, but news of his rival's death left last season's championship runner-up reeling.
Repsol Honda's Pedrosa said: 'In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.
'It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock.
'Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters.'
Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.
His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'
Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008, clinching the crown in Sepang, stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.
His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'
Newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner admitted immediately after the crash he had feared for Simoncelli.
'As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside,' the Australian told BBC2.
 |
| Cancelled: Rubbish covers the track after the race was abandoned early in Sepang |
Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders.
Briton's Jenson Button wrote on his Twitter account: 'R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel...'
British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow wrote on Twitter: 'RIP Marco Simoncelli! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today.'
Formula One driver Mark Webber tweeted: 'R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock..mark.'
A message on Simoncelli's Gresini Honda team website read simply 'CIAO "SUPER SIC"'.
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| Support: Simoncelli's girlfriend Kate is consoled by a TV crew member following her partner's tragic crash |
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| Devastating: Paolo Simoncelli, Marco's father, is comforted by his son's manager Carlo Pernat outside the medical centre following the accident |
The Rizla Suzuki team wrote: 'All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today's tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marco's family and friends during this time of great loss.
'R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 - 23 October 2011 - A true competitor
.'
