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Driver killed at 24-hour Le Mans race

The 34 year-old Dane, Allan Simonsen, spun off the track in his Aston Martin, crashing the car into saftey barriers shortly after the start of the race.

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Danish driver Allan Simonsen has died after crashing his car during the Le Mans endurance race in France, reports BBC News.

They say the 34-year-old spun off after about 10 minutes of the race in his Aston Martin and hit the safety barriers at the Tertre Rouge bend.

He was taken to the medical centre at the premises but later died of his injuries, the organisers said.

It is believed to be the first death in the 24-hour annual event since 1997.

In a statement on Saturday, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest said: "In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Centre where he died soon after due to his injuries."

The organisers expressed their "deepest condolences to the family and those close to Allan Simonsen".

The cause of the crash in western France is being investigated.

Simonsen was participating for the seventh time in the race.

After the crash, the race was stopped for about an hour to repair the barriers.

Two IndyCar drivers tweeted their response to the death.

Helio Castroneves said: "Very sad to know about the fatal accident of Allan Simonsen on Le Mans today. Praying for him and (his) family.''

Read more of this report from BBC News.