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Australian rider Jack Miller says he feels lucky to have walked away from a horror crash on the opening lap of MotoGP's Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
The Australian motorcycle star was left thanking his lucky stars after his early crash on Sunday, with his helmet striking the rear tyre of Fabio Quartararo's Yamaha before Joan Mir's Honda ran over his legs.
The accident happened on the opening lap after the Queenslander's Red Bull KTM got tangled up with his teammate Brad Binder, and it ended up leaving the 29-year-old motionless on the track while Binder and Quartararo were able to walk away from the red-flagged scene.
At one point, stewards erected a screen around Miller as he was placed on a stretcher.
There was huge relief all around the circuit as Miller was rushed to the medical centre at the arena and pictures flashed up later of the ever-popular Aussie walking back to the garage.
"Lucky to walk away from that one today. Thank you to everyone for the kind messages," Miller later wrote on Instagram, also reporting to Mir that he had suffered only a bruised leg.
Red Bull KTM said in a statement later: "Today was a stark reminder of the risks our riders face every time they line up on the grid.
"Both Brad and Jack were involved in a serious incident on the first lap, but we're beyond grateful they're both OK and walking away from the crash relatively unharmed."
A number of riders were caught up in the crash, but Miller appeared to get the worst of it. (AP: Vincent Thian)
Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia went on to win the race ahead of Jorge Martin, whose lead over the Italian is now 24 points, ahead of the season's final race.
Of the three involved in the crash, Quartararo was the only one to restart with a spare bike, as he came home sixth.
"I had a big touch with Brad or Jack, then I was flying and after that I don't really remember. Those things can happen," he said.
Mir admitted he had been worried when he saw the ambulance on the track with medics treating Miller.
Miller and teammate Brad Binder were declared DNS — did not start — in Malaysia. (AP: Vincent Thian)
"I didn't know how he was, I ran over his legs and I was worried for him," Mir said.
"I went to his box [after the race] and he said, 'No, I'm fine, I'm fine'."
Miller's crash was the latest setback in what has been a disappointing season for the four-time race winner, as he lies 14th in the championship standings after recording a Did Not Start at Sepang.
AAP