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Two staff from McLaren have been killed after their sports car crashed outside the Formula 1 giant's high-tech base today

A driver and passenger of a blue Subaru Impreza died after the horrific collision with a Ford Transit van.

The van driver - a man in his 60s - has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

The racing car giant confirmed that the two victims worked on the production of the McLaren road cars - the commercial offshoot of the McLaren Formula One team, which is based at the same site, in Ottershaw, Surrey.

Tonight Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer of McLaren Automotive, said: "We have been informed that we have sadly lost two hard-working and extremely well liked employees of McLaren Automotive.

(Image: INS News Agency)

"They will both be sorely missed by their friends and colleagues and our heartfelt condolences go out to their families."

A spokesman said there would be no further comment and that the matter was being handled by Surrey Police.

Emergency services were called to the A320 Guildford Road, in Ottershaw, at 12.10pm today following reports of a two-vehicle crash.

Controllers from the South East Coast Ambulance Service dispatched three rapid response cars and three ambulances to the scene.

The crew of the air ambulance also went to the scene by road. Their spokesman said: "The report was there were three patients but sadly two patients were pronounced dead at the scene.

"One male patient, believed to be from the van, had suffered injuries including suspected chest injuries. "

He was taken to St George's Hospital, in Tooting."

Officers from Surrey Police closed the road from the roundabout outside the McLaren centre so the rescue operation and investigation could be carried out.

A spokesman said: "Two occupants of the blue Subaru Impreza were confirmed dead at the scene following the collision on the A320 at 12.10pm.

"The road is expected to remain closed for several hours between the McLaren roundabout through to the Otter roundabout while emergency services are in attendance and an initial collision investigation is being carried out.

"Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have seen the incident or the events surrounding it is urged to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency."

McLaren Automotive manufactures high-end supercars, principally the MP4-12C, at the site, just north of Woking, Surrey. The £165,000 pounds vehicles are a common sight in the area as they are taken out on local routes for road tests after rolling off the production line.