Beloved racer Alex Zanardi, who turned tragedy into Paralympic triumph, dead at 59

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The auto racing world is mourning the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became a Paralympic champion after two life-altering accidents, has died, his family announced Saturday. He was 59.The family confirmed that loved ones were with Zanardi when he died. "Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him," the family said in a statement. A cause of death was not provided.Zanardi's family also said that it "Thanks everyone who is sharing their support right now and asks for respect during this time of mourning."Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a 2020 handbike accident, colliding with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Italy. He sustained facial and cranial trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal after winning the men's road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London on Sept. 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)Nearly two decades earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute