Goodwood Festival marred by double tragedy.

The annual historic motorsport celebration at Goodwood House finished under a cloud yesterday, following the deaths of an ex-patriot enthusiast and a marshal.

The double fatality occurred on Saturday afternoon, as historic racing veteran John Dawson-Damer appeared to lose control at the flying finish. The Australian resident ran wide at the final corner of the driveway hillclimb and ploughed through the gantry signifying the finish line. His Lotus 63 was clocked in excess of 100mph at the time of impact, and two marshals at the finish were unable to avoid the errant machine.

The annual historic motorsport celebration at Goodwood House finished under a cloud yesterday, following the deaths of an ex-patriot enthusiast and a marshal.

The double fatality occurred on Saturday afternoon, as historic racing veteran John Dawson-Damer appeared to lose control at the flying finish. The Australian resident ran wide at the final corner of the driveway hillclimb and ploughed through the gantry signifying the finish line. His Lotus 63 was clocked in excess of 100mph at the time of impact, and two marshals at the finish were unable to avoid the errant machine.

Dawson-Damer and one of the marshals, whose name has yet to be released, were declared dead after being transferred to a nearby hospital. The second marshal received serious leg injuries which resulted in a partial amputation, and remains in a critical condition.

The rest of Saturday's planned activities were cancelled as a mark of respect, although Sunday went ahead as planned. The cause of the incident has yet to be determined, although drivers running ahead of the Lotus reported that rain had been a factor at the top of the hill. A mechanical failure has yet to be ruled out, however.

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