The British racing driver Sean Edwards has been killed in a crash at the Queensland Raceway in Australia.

26-year-old Edwards, the son of former F1 driver Guy Edwards, one of the first drivers to arrive at the scene of Niki Lauda's infamous Nurburgring crash in 1976 and along with Arturo Merzario, Harald Ertl and Brett Lunger, one of those to rescue the Austrian, was a passenger instructing a young driver at the time of the crash.

Edwards, who drove for Team Allyouneed by Project 1 in the 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which he was leading with one round remaining, began his career in karts when he was 11, and recently featured in the hit movie Rush portraying his own father in addition to doing some of the stunt driving for the film.

Edwards, pictured after winning in Monaco this year, was taking part in two-day coaching session for young drivers at the Queensland Raceway when the driver he was instructing, believed to be a 20-year-old from Brisbane, lost control and hit a wall, the car subsequently bursting into flames. Though the youngster survived it took almost three hours to free him from the car. Edwards is understood to have been killed instantly.

Winner of the 2006 FIA GT3 European Championship, Edwards, whose single-seater career began in Formula ford in 2003, finished runner-up in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in 2011 and again 2012. He has also participated in a number of American Le Mans Series events.

Fellow racers took to Twitter to offer the condolences and pay tribute to the youngster whose death comes just days after that of Maria de Villota.

Among the first was Max Chilton: "Truly shocked to hear the devastating news about Sean Edwards, watched him win many races and will be a huge loss to the sport."

"Just shocking to hear about Sean Edwards!" added Timo Glock. "He was just such a nice and talented guy! Big lose for the whole Motorsport world!

"Terribly sad news re the death of Sean Edwards," said Martin Brundle, "a very talented racer. Condolences to his family and friends. Motor sport can be too cruel"

"Sad to hear the news from sean edwards," echoed Sergio Perez. "My thoughts with his Family, as always this sport gives a lot but at the same time can take everything"

"Way way too early.." lamented Mark Webber. "What a talent.. Always enjoyed watching him drive at the F1 weekends."

"Sad period in the racing world due to the loss of maria de vilota and sean edwards whom i went to school with," added Nico Rosberg.

Pitpass and its readers offers sincere condolences to Sean’s family at this tragic time.