A SPECTATOR was killed and several injured when Darlington-born driver Jann Mardenborough crashed during a race.

The renowned racing driver was competing at the VLN Endurance Championship in Germany when his sports car left the track and landed in the crowd.

A dramatic video shows Mardenborough’s Nissan GT3 Nismo flip up onto two wheels before ploughing into a group of spectators at the side of the Nordschleife circuit at the famous Nürburgring.

The video appears to show 23-year-old Mardenborough helped from his vehicle as onlookers tend to those around them.

One spectator died and several others were hospitalised as a result of the tragic incident, the cause of which is currently unknown.

Nissan issued a statement, saying: “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.”

A statement from the race organisers stated: “The opening round of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring was marred by an accident on Saturday which injured several spectators.

“One of the spectators died, despite the immediate actions of the rescue crew in the medical centre at the circuit.

“The other injured spectators have been taken to hospital for ongoing medical care.

“The VLN and the organisers are deeply saddened by the accident, and their thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims.”

Mardenborough – who was born in Darlington as his father Steve played for Darlington FC in the early 1990s – is perhaps best known for turning his video-game prowess into real world success through Nissan’s ‘gamer-to-racer’ project, aimed at turning armchair gamers into professional racers.