Recovery Vehicle Kills Worker At Canadian

[News_Editor]

MONTREAL, CANADA (BNO NEWS) -- A worker at the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix circuit was killed Sunday when he was run over by a recovery vehicle, moments after the end of a race that resulted in victory for German racing driver Sebastian Vettel, officials said on Monday.

The accident happened late on Sunday afternoon when the 38-year-old worker was helping to recover a car which had stopped during the race. "The recovery vehicle had lifted the car to return it to the pits and while doing this the worker dropped his radio and attempted to pick it up. As he did this, he stumbled and was hit and run over by the recovery vehicle," the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement.

The injured worker, who was initially conscious when doctors arrived at his side, was airlifted to Sacre-Coeur Hospital in Montreal where he was treated by doctors at the traumatology department. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital at approximately 6:02 p.m. local time, the federation said.

FIA, which said it could not release the identity of the worker, extended its "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of the victim. Organizers of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix, as well as the Automobile Club of Île Notre-Dame, also communicated its "sincere condolences."

Red Bull racing driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany won Sunday's race with a time of 92 minutes and 9.143 seconds, more than 14 seconds before second-placed Fernando Alonso of Ferrari. Vettel is the current Formula One world champion after winning the championship in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and Sunday's race marked his third victory of the year, putting him well ahead in the race for a fourth season title.

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