GT Academy's Jann Mardenborough crashes into crowd at Nurburgring killing one spectator - Team VVV

News GT Academy’s Jann Mardenborough crashes into crowd at Nurburgring killing one spectator

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Martin Bigg

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GT Academy star Jann Mardenborough, winner of the 2011 GT Academy competition who has since enjoyed a successful motorsport career competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours and GP3 Series, has crashed during the VLN endurance race at the Nürburgring in Germany, flipping his Nissan GT-R Nismo into the spectator area. Mardenborough escaped unharmed, but the VLN has confirmed that one spectator has died in the incident, while four others have been injured and transported to hospital. 

Photos taken by motorsport journalist Àlex Garcia shows the overturned GT-R.

A video taken by a spectator captures the horrifying incident.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GXHUxCmdkYY%3Frel%3D0

It certainly looks like there was little Mardenborough could do to prevent the accident, as the GT-R suddenly goes airborne, leaping over the barrier before crashing into the spectator's area.  The race has been red flagged and will not be restarted.

The VLN issued the following statement: "The opening round of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nurburgring was marred by an accident on Saturday which injured several spectators.

"One of the spectators died, despite the immediate actions of the rescue crew in the medical centre at the circuit.

"The other injured spectators have been taken to hospital for ongoing medical care.

"The race was stopped to give emergency crew quick access to the circuit, and wasn't restarted.

"The accident occurred in the Flugplatz part of the circuit, with a competitor leaving the circuit for a yet unspecified reason and finishing up behind the safety fencing.

"The VLN and the organisers are deeply saddened by the accident, and their thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims."

Nissan commented that Mardenborough has also been taken to hospital for "routine checks." 

"Today's events have been a tragedy," said Nissan. "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."

Mardenborough is due to drive the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo at the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year.

Our thoughts go out to all those involved.
 

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