Danish driver Allan Simonsen dies after crash at 24 Hours of Le Mans
Danish driver Allan Simonsen has died after a crash at the wheel of an Aston Martin at Le Mans.
Last Updated: 23/06/13 8:38am
The 34-year-old, competing in the iconic race for the seventh time, spun off on the third lap into the safety barriers at the Tertre Rouge bend.
Simonsen was transferred to the circuit's medical centre where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after, organisers announced.
A statement read: "In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Centre where he died soon after due to his injuries.
"The Automobile Club de l'Ouest wishes to express its great sadness following this incident, and extends its deepest condolences to the family and those close to Allan Simonsen."
The crash came barely ten minutes after the start of the 81st edition of the endurance event with rain and wind combining to make testing conditions at the Sarthe circuit.
It was the first fatality to cccur during the race for 27 years, since Austrian Jo Gartner lost his life in in 1986.
Simonsen, driving an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, was competing in the GTE-Am category and was the Danish Formula Ford champion in 1999 before carving out a career in sports cars.
He won the 2007 Australian GT Championship and took class honours in the 2009 Asian Le Mans Series.
