Paolo, the father of Marco Simoncelli of Italy, is consoled at the pit during the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang
Paolo (R), the father of Marco Simoncelli of Italy, is consoled at the pit during the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang October 23, 2011. Marco Simoncelli has died after a crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang, organisers said on Sunday. He was 24. REUTERS/Stringer Malaysia

Update: Marco Simoncelli's Funeral Set for Thursday; Body Arrives in Italy [VIDEO]

Italian rider Marco Simoncelli, 24, died in a horrific crash on Sunday during the Malaysian MotoGP. Simoncelli's death came after his motorcycle collided with two other riders.

Simoncelli was taken to the medical center at the Sepang circuit where he died of chest, head and neck injuries, organizers told the media.

He was already unconscious when the medical team arrived, MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena told The Washington Post. We attempted to resuscitate him but failed. He died 45 minutes later.

Reports are that the Italian rider lost control of his bike when he was coming out of a right-hand bend at the Sepang circuit. He appeared to have lost his balance as he drifted back across into the middle of track, which led him into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Both riders hit Simoncelli, whose helmet got knocked off during the collision.

Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him, a MotoGP statement said. Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.

Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss.

It was Simoncelli's second season competing in Moto GP for the Honda team. He came eighth in the overall standings in his debut campaign in 2010, according to ESPN, which also reported that Simoncelli's death is the first fatality in MotoGP since Daijiro Katoh died as a result of injuries he received in the Japanese MotoGP in 2003.

Simoncelli's death also came one week after Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car pileup in the IndyCar finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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