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Simoncelli dies after crash in Malaysia

Italian rider Marco Simoncelli © Getty Images

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Italian rider Marco Simoncelli has died after being involved in a horrific crash during the Malaysian MotoGP.

Simoncelli was involved in a sickening collision with two other riders on the second lap of the race, and subsequently died of his injuries. He was 24.

The Italian lost control of his bike coming out of a right-hand bend at the Sepang circuit, seeming to lose his balance as he drifted back across into the middle of track. That took him into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi - who both hit Simoncelli, whose helmet was knocked off during the impact.

The race was immediately red flagged, and subsequently cancelled as medics rushed the rider to the circuit's treatment centre for emergency attention - but they were unable to save him.

"Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him," a MotoGP statement said. "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."

Simoncelli was competing in just his second season of Moto GP for the Honda team, after coming eighth in the overall standings in his debut campaign in 2010.

He had quickly established himself as a fan favourite with his daring riding style, and claimed his first podium of his career in the Czech Republic in August - before securing the best finish of his career with second in the more recent Australian MotoGP.

Simoncelli's death is the first fatality in MotoGP since Daijiro Katoh passed away as a result of injuries sustained in the Japanese MotoGP in 2003.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.