Nine-year-old Argentine racer suffers fatal accident on motorcycle track at Interlagos
On a somber note, Lorenzo Somaschini, a racer participating in the Jr Cup's initial practice session on Friday, met with a fateful accident. SuperBike Brasil, the race organizers, issued an official statement confirming this unfortunate event.
Initially, Somaschini was taken to the emergency room at the racetrack after being stabilized by medics at the crash site. Later, he was transferred to Hospital Geral de Pedreira and then to Albert Einstein Hospital. Despite intensive care treatment, he tragically passed away on Monday at 7:43 p.m. local time.
SuperBike Brasil conveyed their sorrow over the incident, expressing heartfelt condolences to all of Somaschini's loved ones.
The accident occurred at Pinheirinho, the slowest turn of the renowned Formula One track, as per Somaschini's instructor, Diego Pierluigi. At the time of the crash, Somaschini was moving at just 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour).
Pierluigi explained that Somaschini's fall was slow, but he struck his head on the bottom of his helmet in a way that caused irritation at the base of his skull.
Remembered fondly as "Lolo", Somaschini, who rode under the number 99 in tribute to his hero, three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo, expressed his admiration for his idol on Instagram Stories.
"My heart aches because I, too, was his idol, and he wore my number," Lorenzo wrote. "Motorcycles can bring us great joy, but they can also strip us of everything in an instant... A very fierce hug to his family. Rest in peace, 'Lolo.' "
Patrick Sung Cuadrado of CNN contributed to the reporting.
