MONTREAL (JUNE 9, 2013)– A track marshall is in critical condition in a Montreal hospital following a tragic accident near the end of today’s Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Giles Villeneuve. On Lap 66, the Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez slid off track in Turn 1 and into a tire barrier. In the extraction process, marshalls were on track using a left to remove the car. One of the marshalls appeared to trip next to the lift and fell onto the track. the marshall was then struck by an unnamed car. the marshall was airlifted to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Onlookers report cars were speeding through the area. Formula One typically utilizes the Local Caution strategy when dealing with off course cars. Yellow flags are deployed several corners ahead of the incident, and drivers are to slow down and maintain position through the caution area.
We will update as more information is known.
UPDATE 7:50pm edt
Autosport.com now reports the marshall was killed. The marshall had bent over to retrieve a radio and was accidentally struck by the lift operator. The marshall was airlifted to Sacre-Coeur Hospital where he died of his injuries.
