Unfortunately, the title was decided in the most tragic of circumstances, as sixteen people were killed in an accident involving Jim Clark and von Trips. Heading onto the Parabolica for the first time in the race, the Brit and the German made contact, throwing both across the circuit, with Clark skidding to a halt a few metres away. For von Trips, however, the accident was infinitely more severe, as his car flew into the fencing at the edge of the circuit, before slamming into a group of spectators. Fifteen people were killed by the flying Ferrari, while von Trips was catapulted from the car after it hit the fence, dying as he hit the ground.