A fatal accident took place at the Nürburgring motor racing circuit in western Germany on Saturday afternoon, leaving one person dead and two others seriously injured.

The crash occurred around 4.20pm on the iconic 'Nordschleife' – the northern loop of the Nürburgring, often referred to as one of the most challenging and dangerous racetracks in the world. German media report that the accident happened at a notoriously tricky section of the track known as 'Schwedenkreuz', a fast left-hand bend.

According to early findings, a single vehicle lost control and went violently off the track in the corner. A 24-year-old man, one of the car's occupants, was killed instantly at the scene. The two other passengers were seriously injured, though their lives are not believed to be at risk, according to German media reports.

The Nürburgring is known for allowing thousands of drivers each year to take their cars onto the track. While accidents are not uncommon, fatal ones are much rarer.