Ex-Formula One mechanic dies in M20 lorry crash

Former Ferrari chief mechanic Nigel Stepney, who led Michael Schumacher to victory, was killed in a lorry crash on the M20 in Kent on Friday.

The 56-year-old was run over by a lorry after stopping on the hard shoulder and getting out of his van near Ashford.

According to the BBC, police said: "For reasons yet to be established, the man appears to have entered the carriageway and was then in collision with an articulated goods vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene."

Emergency crews were called to the M20 at around 1.30am and the London-bound carriageway was closed for eight hours, Kent Online reports.

Stepney left F1 after his involvement in the 2007 'Spygate' scandal between McLaren and Ferrari, in which he had leaked an 800-page document to the British team. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison in Italy after being found guilty of sabotage, industrial espionage and sporting fraud.

He soon moved to working in sports cars and was a JRM employee until his death.

Owner of JRM James Rumsey told ESPN: "Away from the track, he was a focused, driven and passionate member of the JRM Group, and a loving father to his family."

"The motorsport world has lost one of its greatest characters and competitors. He will be sorely missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family and the many friends he leaves behind."

Stepney leaves behind his partner Ash and daughter Sabine.

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