HIS father famously stopped during the 1976 German Grand Prix to pull another driver to safety from the burning wreck.

But yesterday, nobody was able to save British driver Sean Edwards - the son of Formula 1 driver Guy - when the Porsche he was a passenger in hit the wall at Queensland Raceway, bursting into flames.

In pictures: Sean Edwards killed at Queensland Raceway

Edwards, 26, was killed instantly when the 996 series Porsche GT3 car ploughed into a tyre wall at about 210km/h.

Queensland Raceway chief executive officer John Tetley said his general manager Keith Lewis and senior official Mike Dyson deserved "hero status'' for their efforts in trying to save the men.

"(They) got into Fearless, our fire truck, and managed to pull the car from the burning tyres,'' he said.

"We have a trauma paramedic on site and he was one of the first people to rush to the accident.

"We probably used about 35 to 40 fire extinguishers and a 50kg fire bomb to put out the tyres.''

Mr Tetley said the crash happened on the final turn.

He said the Porsche went straight through the bend, crashing through tyres and into a cement barrier behind.

"They had to cut the car in half and pull it apart piece by piece to get to the driver. Emergency services saved his life.''

Footage has emerged of the other victim from yesterday's crash, driver Will Holzeimer, 22, racing the same Porsche at Queensland Raceway, at last year's Shannons 2 Days of Thunder.

Mr Lewis and Mr Dyson were among the first responders to the fiery crash.

The pair, who are uncomfortable with the hero status conferred on them by their boss Mr Tetley yesterday, displayed quick wits and bravery when they mounted the raceway's fire truck "Fearless" and sped to the crash site on the last turn.

media_camera Will Holzheimer was driving the car that crashed.

Once there, Mr Lewis and Mr Dyson latched the 966 series Porshe GT3 Cup car on to Fearless and pulled the vehicle from the burning tyres, set on fire by the force of the crash and petrol leaking from the car's ruptured fuel tank.

"I've seen accidents before, but this is the first incident I've seen with that fire element," Mr Lewis said.

"It was horrid, but we don't want to be put forward as heroes. We were just doing the things we were supposed to do when an accident like that happens.

"There were another 20 or so other people who rushed to help and who went over and above to help them."

Mr Tetley said Mr Lewis suffered from smoke inhalation from breathing in the air around the burning tyres.

"We've gone 12 years without an incident and now we've had two deaths in two months," Mr Tetley

"I've been in racing for many years and have lost many friends, but I've always come back to it. We give about 15,000 people enjoyment and something special, but sometimes special goes the wrong way."

media_camera The Dellow Racing 996 series Porsche GT3 in which Sean Edwards died.

Tributes have poured in for Porsche Supercup Championship leader Mr Edwards, 26, who was in Australia for the first time on a two-day break and had tweeted about his excitement ahead of the visit.

Australian Formula One star Mark Webber was among scores of fellow drivers and racing fans who paid tribute to Edwards, tweeting: "Way way too early ... What a talent. Always enjoyed watching him drive at the F1 weekends #RIPSeanEdwards.''

"Our thoughts are with his family and we want to express our deepest condolences to his relatives,'' said Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche.

Former Formula One driver David Coulthard was shocked by news of Edwards' death.

"Top man and super talented racer, condolences to his nearest and dearest,'' he tweeted.

media_camera Pro driver dies in passenger seat

Former Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari was also in a sombre mood.

"Rest in peace sean edwards, sad news for motorsport recently,'' he tweeted.

New Zealand V8 Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin said it always hit home when a fellow racer was killed.

"Our sport is dangerous, we are very lucky to be still here telling a tale. Rip Sean Edwards,'' he tweeted.

Mr Edwards, who was based in Monaco, was in Australia on a coaching trip and was due to fly home just hours later.

On his Facebook page he wrote: "First time to Aus, have heard great thing so looking forward to my two days there!''

He had been coaching 20-year-old driver Will Holzheimer when they crashed. Holzheimer, whose family own Dellow Racing, was trapped in the wreck for three hours while emergency services workers cut him free.

Edwards drove his father's F1 car as he portrayed him in the Hollywood blockbuster Rush, a Ron Howard-directed movie about the rivalry between England's James Hunt and German Niki Lauda in the '70s. Guy Edwards won the Gallantry Medal for saving Lauda's life.

Mr Tetley said Holzheimer's family were at the track when he crashed.

Ipswich police Inspector David Preston said police needed to hear from anyone who had video footage of the crash.

He said Will had suffered extensive injuries.

"He is awake and is aware of what's going on around him, but has extensive injuries to deal with.''

The Forensic Crash Unit and Workplace Health and Safety are investigating.

Late today the family of Will Holzheimer described the incident as a "terrible and tragic accident".

Mr Holzheimer's father David Holzheimer said he and his family were extremely grateful for the efforts of all those people who rushed to the scene of the crash.

"Our deepest sympathies, prayers and thoughts go to Sean's family and friends," he said.

"Sean was a remarkable young man and an extremely talented driver. This was a terrible and tragic accident."

He said his son was in a serious but stable condition in hospital after receiving multiple fractures and lacerations.

Mr Holzheimer added his son, fortunately, did not receive suffer any burns in the crash.

He said the family were grateful for the hundreds of calls, texts, emails and well wishes they have received.

"William has a large circle of friends and we are very thankful for their support," he said.

- Reporting by Kate Kyriacou, Naomi Lim, Kate McKenna

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