Marco Simoncelli, one of the best motocross drivers in the world, was killed on Sunday in a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP motorcycle race in Kuala Lumpur.

The 24-year-old Italian crashed after being hit by two other riders, and was then to the local medical center where he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later after chest, head, and neck injuries.

Simoncelli was motionless on the track following the collission, and his helmet had come off.

How the crash occured was difficult to watch. Simoncelli had lost control of his Honda at Turn 11, just four minutes into the race, His bike regained partial grip and swerved across the track, where he ended up in the path of Italian racer Valentino Rossi and American Colin Edwards.

Edwards dislocated a shoulder in the crash, but Rossi returned to the pits.

Officials were interested in restarting the race, before they learned the extent of Simoncelli injury, but the race was later cancelled as news became more clear, and as fans threw bottles in anger.

Race director Paul Butler said there will be an investigation into the crash.

Marco was flamboyant on and off the track, said Matt Roberts, a BBC MotoGP broadcaster. When someone dies, everyone always says they loved life. But he had a very vibrant personality. He already had a huge fanbase around the world, partly down to aggressive riding - but also because he was just a cool guy. He didn't take himself too seriously and would have been a big star for next year.

The tragic news of Simoncelli's death comes just one week after British IndyCar star Dan Wheldon crashed and died in Las Vegas. Wheldon, 33, had his funeral services on Saturday.

Here's a look at the accident: