Three spectators were killed and six injured during the IndyCar US 500 race at Michigan Speedway in Brooklyn yesterday when a tyre ripped loose from a competing car and flew into the grandstand.

The accident happened when the Mexican Adrian Fernandez, who had started in pole position, crashed into the outside wall coming out of a turn on the 175th lap of the 500-mile race. His right front tyre came off, vaulted over a safety fence and struck the spectators. Fernandez was not seriously injured.

The race was won by the Canadian Greg Moore in a Reynard Mercedes-Benz, with third place going to the Reynard Honda of Alessandro Zanardi, the Italian who is widely tipped to return to Formula One with Williams next year.