Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has died in the hospital, nine months after the 25-year-old Marussia driver crashed at the Japanese Grand Prix. He had been in a coma since October 2014 after suffering a diffuse axonal injury following a collision with a crane on the side of the Suzuka circuit, according to MailOnline!
Bianchi had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Nice, France but his family announced his passing in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A statement reads: ‘It is with deep sadness that the parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, his brother Tom and sister Melanie, wish to make it known that Jules passed away last night at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Nice, (France) where he was admitted following the accident of 5th October 2014 at Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix.
‘Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice’s CHU who looked after him with love and dedication.
‘We also thank the staff of the General Medical Center in the Mie Prefecture (Japan) who looked after Jules immediately after the accident, as well as all the other doctors who have been involved with his care over the past months.
Jules Bianchi’s girlfriend, 24 year old Camille Marchetti, has not yet commented on his death. After the crash Miss Marchetti, who has been dating Bianchi for a number of years, led prayers for the race ace’s recovery.
May his soul rest in peace!
