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Surtees dies after F2 race crash | Surtees dies after F2 race crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The son of motorsport legend John Surtees has been killed in a "freak" accident during a Formula Two (F2) race at Brands Hatch in Kent. | The son of motorsport legend John Surtees has been killed in a "freak" accident during a Formula Two (F2) race at Brands Hatch in Kent. |
Henry Surtees, 18, was flown to the Royal London Hospital after he was struck by a wheel which flew off Jack Clarke's car. | Henry Surtees, 18, was flown to the Royal London Hospital after he was struck by a wheel which flew off Jack Clarke's car. |
His father, John, who won the Formula One World Championship in 1964, said Henry would be "deeply missed". | His father, John, who won the Formula One World Championship in 1964, said Henry would be "deeply missed". |
"Henry had followed his heart from the time he first sat in a kart," he added. | "Henry had followed his heart from the time he first sat in a kart," he added. |
'Loving son' | 'Loving son' |
Mr Surtees, of Surrey, who is the only man ever to have been world champion on two wheels as well as four, said: "He treated seriously the balance between motorsport and school, having just finished his A-levels. | Mr Surtees, of Surrey, who is the only man ever to have been world champion on two wheels as well as four, said: "He treated seriously the balance between motorsport and school, having just finished his A-levels. |
"The world beckoned and he was thriving on the freedom to concentrate on his motorsport. | "The world beckoned and he was thriving on the freedom to concentrate on his motorsport. |
"Despite bad luck in his motorsport, he had shown himself to be one with the possibilities of reaching the very top. | "Despite bad luck in his motorsport, he had shown himself to be one with the possibilities of reaching the very top. |
He added: "Despite his young age he had shown maturity, technical understanding and speed. | He added: "Despite his young age he had shown maturity, technical understanding and speed. |
"Most importantly he was a nice person and a loving son. He will be deeply missed." | "Most importantly he was a nice person and a loving son. He will be deeply missed." |
Sunday's race was red-flagged while Surtees was removed from the scene. | Sunday's race was red-flagged while Surtees was removed from the scene. |
The accident happened between the circuit's Westfield Bend and Sheene Curve. | The accident happened between the circuit's Westfield Bend and Sheene Curve. |
Clarke's car hit a tyre wall and a wheel came off, hitting Henry Surtees on the head and knocking him unconscious. | Clarke's car hit a tyre wall and a wheel came off, hitting Henry Surtees on the head and knocking him unconscious. |
'Freak accident' | 'Freak accident' |
The teenager's car then struck the trackside barriers. | The teenager's car then struck the trackside barriers. |
A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said Surtees had been taken from the scene by helicopter. | A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said Surtees had been taken from the scene by helicopter. |
Surtees 'aimed to emulate father' | Surtees 'aimed to emulate father' |
On Saturday, Surtees had claimed his first F2 podium finish, coming third in the opening race of the Brands Hatch weekend. | On Saturday, Surtees had claimed his first F2 podium finish, coming third in the opening race of the Brands Hatch weekend. |
David Croft, the BBC's Radio 5 Live motorsport correspondent, said it was "a freak, deeply tragic and horrible accident that can happen in what is a dangerous sport". | David Croft, the BBC's Radio 5 Live motorsport correspondent, said it was "a freak, deeply tragic and horrible accident that can happen in what is a dangerous sport". |
He said: "A few hundredths of a second later, Henry Surtees would have been fine. | He said: "A few hundredths of a second later, Henry Surtees would have been fine. |
"Sadly, he was coming up to the tyre right at the moment it bounced into the air. | "Sadly, he was coming up to the tyre right at the moment it bounced into the air. |
"He was very much an up-and-coming star. Good things were expected of him." | "He was very much an up-and-coming star. Good things were expected of him." |
No-one from Brands Hatch was available for comment. | No-one from Brands Hatch was available for comment. |