Boy killed in karting accident in Spain

An 11-year-old boy died on Sunday from injuries sustained during a karting accident at two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso's track in northern Spain, the Spanish racing federation said.

Published: 24 April 2017 16:50 CEST

Fernando Alonso poses next to his karting circuit during the opening of his Museum and Foundation in Llanera, northern Spain, on June 26th 2015. Photo: AFP

The boy suffered a “serious accident” during a private practice session on Saturday at the track in Llanera in Alonso's home region of Asturias, it said in a statement.

He was not able to overcome his injuries and died in the early hours of Sunday, the statement added, without providing further details about the accident.

Spanish media said the boy's kart crashed with another kart and flipped over, trapping him underneath.

The federation said an investigation into the accident was under way. Alonso said in a Twitter message that he was “devastated” by the news of the boy's death.

“I woke up early this morning to one of the saddest days,” he added.

The boy's hometown of Villarcayo declared an official day of mourning.