A marshal has died after being hit by a mobile crane in the closing stages of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday.
International Automobile Federation (FIA) said he died in hospital in the city from the injuries sustained when he was struck by the vehicle.
The death of the as yet unnamed marshal overshadowed the race which was won by Germany’s Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull.
The marshal was helping to retrieve Esteban Gutierrez’s wrecked Sauber car when he tripped and fell under the wheels of the mobile crane.
In a statement the FIA said: ‘The recovery vehicle had lifted the car to return it to the pits and while doing this the worker dropped his radio and attempted to pick it up.
‘As he did this, he stumbled and was hit and run over by the recovery vehicle.’
The FIA said the worker was transferred by helicopter to the Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal for treatment but his injuries were too severe.
Later, drivers expressed their shock on hearing the news of the marshal’s death.
Ferarri’s Fernando Alonso tweeted: ‘Today there is nothing to celebrate. Terrible news arrive with the death of a marshal this race. Very sad. R.I.P.’
Jenson Button, the British McLaren driver, added: ‘Shocked & saddened by the news that a marshal who is there to keep us safe has lost his life during our race today. Rest in peace my friend.’
The marshal was the first to die at a race since the 2001 Australian Grand Prix.
Graham Beveridge was struck by a tyre that flew through a gap in safety fencing after Jacques Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher collided.
