A Nissan GT-R driven by Jann Mardenborough flipped off the track and into the spectator area at this weekend's VLN endurance race at the Nürburgring in Germany. The driver survived without serious injuries but one spectator was killed and more were injured. [UPDATED With Video].
A video shows that the number 23 Nissan GT-R cleared the catch fence and crashed into an area where spectators were sitting. Photos and a statement from the VLN confirm this.
[UPDATE 4: 10:25 AM] Video of the crash has surfaced showing the GT-R lifting off the track and tumbling into the crowd, followed by people running to help. WARNING: This video shows a fatal accident.
[UPDATE 1: 9:20 AM] VLN posted this statement (as translated by Peter Leung) about the accident:
According to Midweek Motorsport, VLN Radio reported that the race will not be restarted and there will be no post-race ceremonies. Police are on the scene.
Driver Jann Mardenborough can be spotted standing outside the car in this photo of the accident. According to NISMO's Darren Cox, Mardenborough is reportedly fine.
Mardenborough is scheduled to drive the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo at the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year.
[UPDATE 2: 9:25 AM] There's another photo showing a different angle of the accident, you can see chairs on the track-side of a fence designed to keep spectators out.
[UPDATE 3: 10:03 AM] One spectator has been pronounced dead following the accident, and another four spectators were injured. Here is the translated statement from VLN:
In the opening round of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring an accident happened on Saturday, in which several spectators were injured. One of them died despite immediately initiated rescue operations in the Medical Center of the circuit. The other injured spectators were taken for further medical care to the hospital. The race was stopped to allow quick access to the scene of the rescue services and not restarted. In the stretch airfield a participant vehicle drove off yet unknown reason from the track and came out from behind the safety features of the circuit to a halt. The VLN and the organizer of the race are deeply saddened and her thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased.
[UPDATE 5: 10:44 AM] There's a statement from NISMO:
The driver, Jann Mardenborough got out of the car and, after initial checks in the circuit Medical Centre, has been taken to hospital for further routine checks.
Today's events have been a tragedy. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by these events and our immediate thoughts go to the deceased, those injured and their families and friends.
The team is fully co-operating with the race organisers to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident.
Top Photo: Alex Garcia