Dan Wheldon – 1978-2011

We all know how dangerous motorsport can be, and despite incredible advances in safety technology, it can never be a completely safe sport. Today, British driver Dan Wheldon (33) lost his life in a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The horrific 15 car crash resulted in absolute carnage, but most drivers managed to walk away. Wheldon was trapped in his upturned car which was on fire for a period of time and was air-lifted to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. He had earlier this year won the prestigious Indy 500 Race. He is survived by his wife and two children.