F1 driver Bianchi unconscious, taken to hospital after severe crash
Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has been transported to a nearby hospital and is unconscious following an accident during the Japanese Grand Prix.
The 25-year-old Marussia driver was battling for a spot in the top 15 when he slid off track at the Dunlop curves and collided with a JCB recovery vehicle that was recovering Adrian Sutil's stricken car.
Race officials immediately halted the event, meaning Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took the victory ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg and Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel.
Celebrations were muted as the paddock received word of Bianchi's condition.
The incident started when a wet track caught Sutil out at Lap 43, sending the Sauber driver into the barriers. Marshalls immediately began to recover the damaged car while the race was yellow-flagged.
As the recovery was taking place, Bianchi went off in the same corner and hit the heavy piece of machinery. The Frenchman was placed in an ambulance where he was then taken to the hospital with a police escort.
More to follow.
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