'We are in shock': Spectator involved in Kiwi Hayden Paddon rally crash dies

A spectator caught up in a crash in Monte Carlo involving Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon has died.

The stage was closed by the rally's organisers after Paddon lost control of his Hyundai on some ice and slid off the road and into a bank where someone was standing.

Paddon confirmed on his Facebook page that the spectator had lost their life.

"I am incredibly saddened by today's accident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the person involved," he wrote.

"It's difficult to say much more at the moment, as we are in shock with what has happened.

"I'm sorry for the family, the fans and our sport!"

A statement released by Hyundai Motorsport said the team was saddened to learn of the death.

"The team and crew have pledged their full support to the event organisers and authorities to understand the full details," it said.

"Hyundai Motorsport extends its condolences to the family, friends and individuals affected."

Het Laatste Nieuws reported that the 'spectator' who became embroiled in the crash, after falling from a perch above where Paddon spun out, was a press photographer.

The news website reported that "the New Zealander was spinning several times" before maneuvering into a "press photographer".

"The news about the photographer was confirmed from multiple sources. It would be a Spaniard or Frenchman, who was hit hard in the incident," the Dutch news site said.

Footage of the crash shows a spectator tumbling down the bank and other spectators rush to check on his condition.

A statement from Hyundai Motorsport said Paddon and co-driver John Kennard were not injured in the incident.

Posting a comment on the crash to Instagram, the official Rally Monte Calro account wrote: "The spectator is fine, it fell accidentally from the overlying rock (certainly due to the fear or the breaking of rock below)."

Meanwhile, a rally co-drivers' community Facebook page also confirmed that the spectator was a photographer working the event.

"This news is hard to take! Everyone by now has heard but incase [sic] you haven't, a photographer was hit today in Monte Carlo by Hayden Paddon when he slid and crashed into a banking. Not going into detail about it!," the post read.

"My thoughts go to the photographer, Hayden and John right now, I'm sure this is a tough time!"

The Kiwi was almost at the end of the stage when he lost control of the car under braking for a slippery left hand corner usually taken in second or third gear, according to Motorsport.com

The car came to rest on its side in the middle of the stage, forcing organisers to halt the action.

Paddon went off-road towards the end of the 21.25km route.

"With the car blocking the asphalt road, the stage was initially stopped by the rally organisers before being red-flagged," the statement said.

"The crews are now being routed towards Thursday night's second stage."

Conditions in the principality have been icy in recent days, with frost and black ice covering the roads in sub-zero temperatures.

Rally stars Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville had earlier completed the stage without incident but acknowledged the difficult conditions.

The accident came after Paddon had warned of the increased pressures on drivers as they adjusted to more powerful cars being introduced to the WRC this year.

"You do notice the extra power and corners coming at you a little quicker, but at the same time the car has more capabilities, it can carry that extra speed through corners," Paddon told Fairfax Media.

"It just means you have to take a few more brave pills while you get used to it. After that, it becomes second nature and before long, we'll be wanting more power."

– With NZN

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