Police to probe grand prix race death

Villeneuve's car disintegrates on impact

MELBOURNE, Australia (CNN) -- Police will investigate the death of an official during Sunday's Formula 1 grand prix race.

A track side race marshal was killed when a wheel from a disintegrating racing car flew through a gap in the safety barriers and struck the man, aged in his 50s.

It was the first fatality at an Australian Formula 1 grand prix since the event began being held in Australia in 1985.

Eleven other spectators were also injured by flying debris after driver Jacques Villeneuve collided with another car, sending his own vehicle sliding along a wall, disintegrating as it went.

The man was believed to have died instantly, but officials did not announce the tragedy until after the race, nearly two hours later.

A Victoria Police spokesman told media Monday an investigation into the crash would be carried out by the state police's major collision investigation unit.

A report would then be prepared for Victoria's state coroner.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker described the marshal's death as "one in a billion" accident.

Mr Walker told ABC radio Monday morning that nothing more could have been done to make the track safer.

"It was a billion-to-one-chance that that tyre came through that wall," he said.

"There are gaps in the wall all around the track. The reason for that is that the marshals have to get out in case a car turns over and a driver is trapped beneath the car.

"For that wheel to have come through that small gap is quite an amazing phenomenon."

Formula 1 official site

See related sites about Asia

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.