Sepang, Oct 23 (IANS): Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli died Sunday following his crash during the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix here.
The race was cancelled in the wake of the horrific accident that killed Simoncelli as he slid across the track while riding his Honda. Yamaha's Colin Edwards and Ducati's Valentino Rossi were also injured in the incident.
The 24-year-old's helmet came off with the strong impact of the crash.
Simoncelli was immediately was rushed to the circuit's medical centre where he was declared dead.
Simoncelli's death is the first in the premier class category since another Honda rider, Daijiro Kato, was killed at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
Simoncelli won the 250cc world championship in 2008.