Italian motorcycle rider Marco Simoncelli has died after a crash in the Malaysian MotoGP. He was 24.
Simoncelli lost control of his Honda, but his bike regained partial grip and swerved across the track, into the path of American Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi of Italy.
Simoncelli’s helmet was ripped off in the incident and he lay motionless on the track. The other two riders were unhurt.
The season’s penultimate race was abandoned immediately after the collision just four minutes into the event.
Yamaha’s Edwards also came off his bike but escaped serious injury, while Rossi was able to nurse his Ducati back to the pits.
Simoncelli lay stricken on the track before being taken to the circuit’s medical centre where he later died.
Casey Stoner, who won his second MotoGP title at his home Australian Grand Prix last week, said: “As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside.
“Whenever the helmet comes off that’s not a good sign.”
