LONDON (REUTERS) - Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel has led other drivers in paying tribute to a Canadian Grand Prix marshal who died after being run over by a mobile crane during Sunday's race in Montreal.

"The work of marshals is not always seen, but it is vital to our sport and without their commitment, time and dedication, there would be no motorsport," Red Bull's race winner said on his website (www.sebastianvettel.de) on Monday. "I am very, very sad to hear this news and my thoughts are with his family and friends."

The marshal, as yet unnamed, died in hospital from injuries sustained while removing the Sauber of Mexican rookie Esteban Gutierrez, who crashed out seven laps from the end of the race.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that the track worker had dropped his radio and attempted to pick it up. In doing so, he stumbled and was hit and run over by the recovery vehicle.

The marshal was the third to die at a grand prix since the turn of the century but the first since Graham Beveridge was killed by a loose tyre that flew through a gap in the safety fence at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix.

"My dearest condolences to the family of the marshal who lost his life today, our prayers for him & his family. RIP," Gutierrez wrote on his Twitter account.

"Today there is nothing to celebrate. Terrible news arrive with the death of a marshal this race. Very sad. R.I.P," added Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

While the marshal's death appeared a freak accident, there has long been concern about the use of such cranes while the race is still going on - but more from the point of view of driver safety.

Former racer Martin Brundle, now a commentator with Britain's Sky television, observed during Sunday's grand prix - before the accident with the marshal - that it might have been safer to leave the car where it was rather than hurrying to remove it.