Tragedy mars Macau Grand Prix
A freak accident claimed the life of a 25-year-old volunteer firefighter during a support race to the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix yesterday.
Lei Chi-kin was rushed to hospital at 10.30am along with a second fireman and three track officials also injured in the incident.
Officials at the Hospital Santo Janua'rio fought for more than three hours to save Lei who suffered multiple fractures and internal bleeding.
Antonio Ferreira remained in hospital under observation last night while the remaining three, including a woman track official, were treated for minor injuries and shock.
The accident occurred on lap four of the STDM Super Car Challenge when an oil line on Malaysian driver Tunku Hammam's Ferrari F355 ruptured and the vehicle burst into flames at full race speed.
Hammam drove the Ferrari into the pit lane exit where Lei and the other four officials jumped the barrier to quell the fire and pull the driver from his car.
Canto-pop star Aaron Kwok's Ferrari F355 sped through the oil slick laid down by Hammam's car unscathed but Hong Kong driver David Tsang was not so fortunate in his Porsche 911T.
Passing the finish line, the rear end of his car gave way, spinning him out of control into the pit lane exit which is only metres wide.
He slammed into the Ferrari in which Hammam was still strapped, scattering the five officials. Both Tsang and Hammam were unhurt.
