• Italian rider dies at the age of 24
• Simoncelli was hit by other bikes after crash
The Italian motorcyclist Marco Simoncelli has been killed in a crash at Sunday's Malaysian MotoGP.
Simoncelli fell on on lap two of the race, his helmet came off and the rider was hit by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track. "As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside," said the MotoGP champion, Casey Stoner. "Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign."
He was treated for his injuries but medical staff could not save his life. The organisers cancelled the race when the extent of Simoncelli's injuries become apparent, having halted it immediately after the accident. Simoncelli's death comes a week after British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon was killed during a race in Las Vegas.
Simoncelli's death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix. Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders. 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."
The 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."
Simoncelli, who was 24 years old, won the 250cc world title in 2008 before starting his career in MotoGP two years later.
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