Lewis Hamilton says he is 'devastated' after volunteer marshal died when he was hit by car that spun off track during race at Brands Hatch circuit

Lewis Hamilton has said he is 'devastated' following the death of a volunteer marshal during a race meeting at the Brands Hatch circuit

Lewis Hamilton has said he is 'devastated' following the death of a volunteer marshal during a race meeting at the Brands Hatch circuit. 

The incident occurred during an event at the Kent racing track on Saturday afternoon.

The volunteer marshal died after being hit by an out of control car after it spun off the track during a race at Brands Hatch circuit.  

Reacting to the accident on Sunday morning, Hamilton said on social media that his heart with the volunteer marshal's family.   

In an Instagram post accompanied by an orange love heart emoji, Hamilton wrote: 'Devastated to hear of the passing of a marshal at the Brands Hatch Circuit. 

'These volunteer marshals are what makes racing possible, they are heroes. My heart is with his family.'  

A spokesman for Kent Police said the force was called shortly before 3pm following a collision involving a car and two people on foot at Brands Hatch. 

He said officers attended the scene and carried out inquiries, with no suspicious circumstances being reported. 

The British Automobile Racing Club said in a statement that it was 'saddened to confirm that as a result of an accident that occurred during a race meeting at Brands Hatch circuit today, a volunteer marshal tragically lost their life.'

A volunteer marshal has died after being hit by an out of control car after it spun off the track during a race at Brands Hatch circuit in Kent. Pictured: Air ambulance at the scene

It added: 'The rest of the day's racing activity was cancelled.' 

The BARC said it would be working with national governing body Motorsport UK and local police following the incident.  

It added: 'On behalf of everyone connected with the BARC, we are devastated by loss of one of the amazing volunteer marshal community who do so much to enable the sport to take place. 

'Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends of all those involved.'  

Other drivers and organisations associated with the sport also expressed their sadness. 

A spokesman for Kent Police said the force was called shortly before 3pm following a collision involving a car and two people on foot at Brands Hatch

Motorsports UK tweeted: 'The thoughts of everyone at Motorsport UK are with the marshal's family, the event organisers, and other members of the motorsport community present. 

'Together with BARC we have begun a full investigation into the accident.' 

Former Formula One driver Karun Chandhok wrote on Twitter: 'Very sad news coming from Brands Hatch today. 

'Marshalls are volunteers who give up their weekends to support the sport they love. Awful to hear that a member of this close knit community lost their life. 

'My condolences to the family at this tragic time.'  

The tragic incident happened during an event at the racing track on Saturday afternoon

Campaigners have called for helmets to be mandatory after a volunteer marshal died at a race circuit when a car flipped off the track.

Two cars are thought to have clipped each other during an opening lap at Brands Hatch, flipping one off the track and hitting two pedestrians.

A Ford Escort is believed to have left the track yesterday afternoon and flown into a section of fencing on the approach to the Paddock Hill bend of the prestigious track in Kent.

Since the tragic death, a fundraiser has been launched for the family of the motorsport marshal who died in the horror crash.

One fundraiser called for all track marshals to wear helmets - as they already do in much of Europe.

Lucas Fothergill, who started the fundraiser, said: 'I believe it should already be mandatory and can very easily be resolved, however I am starting this crowdfund to raise money for every track marshal in the UK to have access to the correct safety equipment, most prominently a helmet at the very least.

'From speaking to other professionals within motorsport it is mandatory in Europe to be given the correct safety equipment and training along with a paid wage, compared to the UK where it is purely done for the love of the sport.

'I am not stating that a helmet would have saved the marshal at Brands , I am simply suggesting that a simple solution can be applied to ensure safety within the sport.'