MotoGP cameraman narrowly avoids death after bike flies through air in terrifying incident

A cameraman miraculously escaped death during qualifying for the Hungarian MotoGP on Saturday. The harrowing incident occurred when KTM rider Pedro Acosta lost control at the high-speed Turn 8 at the Balaton Park circuit.

The Spaniard was unseated as his bike skidded through the gravel trap and flipped multiple times before hitting the fence. It then bounced up and careered into a trackside camera, seemingly destroying the equipment. Immediately, concern turned to the man filming.

In footage released by MotoGP, the cameraman is soon seen giving a thumbs up to assure people he was ok. Replays also showed how he took evasive action to avoid potential disaster.

The MotoGP Instagram account later posted: "Our cameraman, Joao, avoiding @37pedrocosta's bike impact is probably the most shocking video you'll see today! We're so glad to see he's ok!"

Acosta, 21, later met Joao in the paddock. He presented the cameraman with a signed memento and also invited him to a special tour of the garage, telling him: "Seeing you're ok is more than enough."

During the conversation, Joao is heard telling the Spaniard: "The bike didn't touch me, but did hit the camera. But the camera can be fixed."

Acosta recovered from his ordeal to finish second in Sunday's race. Ducati driver Marc Marquez won the Grand Prix, his seventh consecutive victory.

MotoGP has only returned to Hungary this year for the first time since 1992. Then, the venue was the Hungoring, with Bernie Ecclestone then influential in the decision to only hold F1 races at the track.