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Officials at the VLN Endurance Championship in Germany have confirmed that one spectator has died and others have been injured after an incident at the Nurburgring today.

Following an incident involving the No. 23 Nissan GT-R being raced by British driver Jann Mardenborough at the time, the race was red flagged.

Pictures from the scene show Mardenborough’s car upside down on the spectator side of the catch fencing at Flugplatz corner, which is part of the Nordschleife circuit.

The event organizers have issued the following statement:

“In the opening round of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring, an accident happened on Saturday in which several spectators were injured. “One of them died despite immediately initiated rescue operations in the Medical Center of the circuit. The other injured spectators were taken for further medical care to the hospital. The race was stopped to allow quick access to the scene of the rescue services and not restarted. “At Flugplatz, a racing vehicle drove off for a yet unknown reason from the track and came to a halt behind the safety features of the circuit. “The VLN and the organizer of the race are deeply saddened, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.”

Nissan has also issued a statement:

During today’s ‘VLN 1’ race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a serious incident occurred involving the No.23 Nissan. The car is reported to have left the track at the ‘Flugplatz’ section and vaulted the catch fencing, landing on its roof in a spectator area. Several spectators were injured in the incident and despite immediate efforts one of them succumbed to their injuries. The others have been taken immediately to hospital for care. The driver, Jann Mardenborough got out of the car and, after initial checks in the circuit Medical Centre, has been taken to hospital for further routine checks. Today’s events have been a tragedy. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by these events and our immediate thoughts go to the deceased, those injured and their families and friends. The team is fully co-operating with the race organisers to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident.

This story will be updated upon further information from VLN.

Follow @LukeSmithF1