Athletes who died in their prime

The three-time Formula One champion was killed in an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Senna was widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time.

The Croatian basketball star was involved in a fatal car crash in Germany in 1993. Petrovic had taken the NBA by storm and pioneered the international influx into the league in the early nineties. He also led Yugoslavia to a gold medal in the 1990 World Championships.

The English all-rounder made his Test debut alongside his brother Adam in 1997. After a promising start to his career, Hollioake died in a car crash in Perth in 2002 at the age of 24.

In a story that has been captured in many documentaries, Escobar infamously scored an own goal in Colombia’s game against the USA at the 1994 World Cup, a goal that put an end to Colombia’s dream campaign. Upon returning home to Colombia, Escobar was killed as “punishment” for the own goal.

The three-time world surfing champion died of a heart attack in 2010, allegedly linked to drug use. The 32-year-old is remembered as one of the greatest big-wave riders in the history of the sport.

Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli tragically died during the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2011. During the race, Simoncelli collided with fellow riders Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, suffering serious trauma to the head, neck and chest.

The Cameroon midfielder collapsed in the 73rd minute of a Confederations Cup match against Colombia. An autopsy revealed heart failure as the cause of death.

In 2012, the young Port Adelaide midfielder had his most successful AFL season. McCarthy tragically died at the age of 22 after falling nine metres from the roof of a Las Vegas hotel on a post-season holiday.

The 11-time PGA Tour winner and three-time major champion died in a Learjet accident in 1999. Known for his flamboyant sense of clothing style on the course, the 42-year-old was a crowd favourite.

The West Indian cricketer scored 573 Test match runs, averaging of 22.03 and 1519 in One-day internationals at 33.75. In 2012, Morton was killed in a car accident in Trinidad, crashing his car into a pole.

Eight Manchester United players died in a plane crash as the team returned from a game against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia. Extreme weather conditions were blamed for the crash, which killed 23 of the 44 passengers.

After a long struggle with depression, the 32-year-old German goalkeeper committed suicide by walking in front of an express train.

Maynard died in 2012 after he was electrocuted on a railway line and the hit by a train. The 23-year old was widely tipped as a future England player.

Gillett and five of her teammates were involved in a head first collision with a car in Germany, whilst training for a race. Gillett also represented Australia in rowing at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Mackay died in 2009 in South Africa after being hit by an armoured car as he and his teammates crossed the road from a nightclub. Mackay died after surgical complications a few days after the accident.

The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner died at the age of 33 after he was involved in a 15-car accident during a race in Las Vegas. His car collided with a fence post, which struck through the car and made contact with his helmet.

During the 1995 Tour de France, the Italian cyclist and Olympic gold medalist died in a horrific crash with fellow riders, suffering serious head injuries.

The promising young rugby league player drowned after being caught in a rip at an Auckland beach. The 20-year-old only played one season for the New Zealand Warriors and represented his country at junior levels.

Simpson, one of Britain’s best cyclists, lost control of his bike and crashed during the 1967 Tour de France. He attempted to continue the race after the crash and died in hospital later that day. Simpson won a gold medal at the 1965 World Championships and a bronze at the 1956 Olympic Games.

In 2004, whilst on his honeymoon in Thailand, the 24-year-old drowned after being swept to sea in the tsunami that devastated the area. Broadbridge played 40 games for the Melbourne Demons between 2001 and 2004.