Coulthard escapes serious injury in plane crash

LYON (FRANCE), MAY 2. A small plane carrying Formula 1 star David Coulthard crashed at Lyon's airport on Tuesday, killing the pilot and co-pilot but sparing the race car driver who escaped with minor injuries, the airport press office said. Details of the crash were not immediately available.

``His state is not at all worrisome,'' said a spokesperson at Lyon's Edouard-Herriot hospital, where he was admitted.

``He is undergoing exams to verify that all is well. He has no fractures,'' said the hospital spokesperson, speaking on customary condition of not being further identified.

Coulthard's fiance was among the passengers on the plane, and she also was only slightly injured, the press office at Lyon-Satolas airport said. French radio said that a bodyguard also was on board.

The plane was reportedly heading from London to Nice, according to French radio. The airport said the accident occurred about 2:30 P.M. (6 p.m IST) when the plane was landing in this southcentral French city.

Scot Coulthard, driving for McLaren Mercedes, won the British Grand Prix for the second consecutive time on April 23 putting him in second place overall in the Formula 1 driver's championship.

- AP

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