Edwards, 26, was in the passenger seat of a Type 996 Porsche 911 when its 20-year-old driver allegedly lost control, sending the car into a nearby barrier.
The car burst into flames, with the two occupants trapped inside. The driver of the Porsche, a Brisbane local, was pulled out of the wreckage and remains in hospital with severe injuries. Edwards is believed to have died upon impact.
"This news has sparked immense regret at Porsche,” the automaker’s motorsport chief, Hartmut Kristen, said in a statement.“ Edwards has for many years been one of the most popular and successful pilots in the Porsche one-make race series.”
Edwards was an extremely talented driver, having won this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. He was also the current points leader in the 2013 Porsche Supercup Championship. Outside of motorsport, he also made a small cameo in F1-themed movie Rush, playing the role of his father.
Tragically, the news comes just days after F1 tester Maria de Villota passed away due to injuries sustained in her own horror crash one year ago.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of both drivers.
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