MotoGP Race Direction holds Simoncelli press conference

Following the tragic news that Marco Simoncelli had died as a result of his injuries in Sunday's Malaysian MotoGP, a press conference was held by members of Race Direction - Paul Butler, Claude Danis, Franco Uncini and Javier Alonso - were joined by Medical Director Doctor Michele Macchiagodena.

Simoncelli fell from fourth place on the second lap of the race and was then slid back across the race track, in front of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who had no chance to avoid the Honda Gresini rider.

Butler opened the press conference by saying: "The purpose of this press conference is to apprise you of the circumstances that resulted in the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli.

"You know who we all are, the Race Direction; Claude Danis who is the FIM representative, Javier Alonso the Dorna representative, Franco Uncini the riders' representative, and I'm Paul Butler the IRTA representative and Race Director.

"Michele Macchiagodena is our Medical Director and he will explain to you the circumstances that resulted in this death."

Doctor Michele Macchiagodena then said: "I'm very sad to be here to report about the death of Marco Simoncelli, a friend. Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.

"When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation). Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help also of the Doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local Doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.

"The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead."

Butler was then asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off during the incident by saying: "I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated."

Answering a question about the condition of Colin Edwards, who was involved in the incident, Michele Macchiagodena replied: "He had a dislocation of the shoulder and with anaesthesia the shoulder now is in the correct position. He is fine."

Butler concluded the press conference by adding: "Our sympathies go to his family and we want to show every respect possible to Marco."