Wheldon killed in Vegas crash

English driver Dan Wheldon was killed in Sunday’s Las Vegas Indy 300.

The 33-year-old was taken to hospital in a helicopter after his car was involved in a massive 15-vehicle crash, his car flying over another on lap 13.

IndyCar chief executive Randy Bernard confirmed Wheldon’s death at a press conference: "IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries.”

A number of cars came into contact on turn two, sending several of them flying through the air, smashing into the outside wall and catch fence.

With cars smouldering and debris littering the track, the race was red-flagged as crews worked on fences and removed the damaged cars.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Wheldon had been in line to win $5 million had he won the race.

Bernard added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

"IndyCar, its drivers and team owners has decided to end the race. In honour of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute in his honour."

Scotsman Dario Franchitti - who was yesterday confirmed as the IndyCar 2011 champion - insists warning signs were there.

"I could see within five laps people were starting to do crazy stuff," Wheldon's former Andretti Green team-mate, who was not involved in the crash, told IndyCar.com.

"I love hard racing but that to me is not really what it's about. One small mistake from somebody..."

He added: "Right now I'm numb and speechless

"One minute you're joking around in driver intros and the next he's gone. He was six years old when I first met him. He was this little kid and the next thing you know he was my team-mate.

"We put so much pressure on ourselves to win races and championships and today it doesn't matter."

Wheldon, a father of two who lived with his wife and sons in Florida, won 16 times in his IndyCar career and was the series champion in 2005.

Wheldon started at the back of the 34-car line-up but quickly started to make his way through the field before the pile-up, which injured three other drivers.

His colleagues were reportedly told of his death around two hours after he was airlifted from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway track to University Medical Center.

Wheldon becomes the first IndyCar fatality since American rookie Paul Dana was killed in a practice session five years ago.