Fans have been left bereft after discovering the latest shock twist in Grey’s Anatomy.

The latest episode of the medical drama, which aired on US screens last night, saw neurosurgeon Doctor Derek Shepherd aka McDreamy – played by Patrick Dempsey – fighting for his life after being hit by a truck.

Patrick Dempsey played McDreamy (Markus Schreiber/AP)
Patrick Dempsey played McDreamy (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Derek had stopped to help four people injured in a two-car crash – and despite being rushed to hospital, died from his injuries.

The twist came after Patrick, who has played McDreamy for ten years since 2005, signed a two-year contract extension in 2014, that would have kept him on the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning show through to its 12th season.

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey (Reed Saxon/AP)
Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey (Reed Saxon/AP)

The shock death leaves Doctor Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, a grieving widow as Grey’s Anatomy heads toward its 11th season finale on May 14.

“Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character – for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘McDreamy’,” the show’s creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes said in a statement.

Shonda Rhimes (Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
Shonda Rhimes (Rich Fury/Invision)

“Patrick Dempsey’s performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example – happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true – of what young women should demand from modern love.

“His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey’s Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say… the carousel never stops turning.”

TV studio ABC added: “After 11 seasons on Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey is moving on to pursue other interests. Dr Derek Shepherd is an iconic character and we’ve been proud to be the home of ‘McDreamy’ and the ‘Mer/Der’ love story.

“The devotion of Grey’s fans throughout the years has been a testament to the creative mind of Shonda Rhimes and Dempsey’s talent. ‘McDreamy’ will be greatly missed and we wish Patrick the very best in his future endeavours.”

Patrick Dempsey with Caterina Scorsone and AJ Langer (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)
Patrick Dempsey with Caterina Scorsone and AJ Langer (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)

The death has devastated fans of the show, who took to Twitter to reveal their sadness.

Grey’s Anatomy continues on Sky Living on Wednesdays.