• Le Mans

Simonsen killed after safety barrier smash

ESPN staff
June 22, 2013
Allan Simonsen died after his Aston Martin hit a safety barrier at Le Mans © Getty Images
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Danish racer Allan Simonsen has died after a crash his at Le Mans.

The 34-year-old's Aston Martin spun off the track around ten minutes into the 24-hour endurance race and hit the safety barriers at the Tertre Rouge bend.

He was taken to the on-site medical centre but later died of his injuries, the organisers announced.

In a statement on Saturday, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest said: "In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Centre where he died soon after due to his injuries."

The organisers expressed their "deepest condolences to the family and those close to Allan Simonsen".

Simonsen's death is the first in the race since 1986, when Austrian Jo Gartner died after hitting safety barriers head-on at 160mph, while in 1997 French driver Sebastien Enjolras was killed during a pre-qualifying session after his car overturned and burst into flames.

The cause of Simonsen's crash is being investigated.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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