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A Sad Day for Motorsports - Colin McRae Killed in Helicopter Crash
Former world rally champion Colin McRae is believed to have been killed along with three others in a helicopter crash near his home in Lanarkshire.

The helicopter, which police believe was owned by Mr McRae, 39, came down onSaturday afternoon in Jerviswood, about a mile from Lanark, and caught fire.
Mr McRae, his son Johnny, 5, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday.

Jim McRae, Colin McRae's father, said it was "unbelievable" that his son and grandson's lives had been taken "so prematurely".
He issued his statement a few hours before police began removing the bodies of the four from the crash site.
Mr McRae snr said that his grandson's friend Ben was a "great buddy" and that Mr Duncan was a close friend of Mr McRae since school.
Speaking on behalf of the whole family, he added: "It is with much sadness and regret that we have to make this statement."
"It is unbelievable that Colin and Johnny's lives have been taken so prematurely and in such a tragic manner.
"Colin was a great son, a loving husband to Alison and a fantastic father to Johnny and his big sister Hollie.
"Johnny was a great wee guy, spending every spare minute with his dad, and even at this early stage it looked like he had the potential to carry on the family dynasty."
He said the family's thoughts were "very much" with the families of Ben and Mr Duncan.
"Ben was a great buddy of Johnny's and they had always spent a lot of time together both in and out of school," he added.

He said Mr Duncan, who lived in France, was back in Lanark on holiday.
"We are thankful for the overwhelming number of messages of support we have received from all around the world," Mr McRae Snr said.
"Colin was very much an inspiration and role model to motorsport fans the world over."

In a statement, Ben's father Mark and mother Karen, said: "We are absolutely devastated with the loss of our son Ben following this terrible accident.

"He was a charming, fun-loving and caring wee boy - the best boy in the world who enjoyed great times with his wee pal Johnny. It is just so tragic that their lives have been cut so short.

"Our thoughts also go out to the McRae and Duncan families."

Formal identification is expected in the next few days.

Ch Supt Tim Love from Strathclyde Police said the crash was not survivable and it was very difficult to tell the aircraft had been a helicopter.

Air accident investigators have started searching the helicopter crash site near Mr McRae's home.

The Scottish Subaru Impreza Owners' Club have been leaving tributes at the entrance to the house.

About 40 firefighters attended the accident which happened in woods just north of Lanark at 1600 BST.

Users of the rally champion's official website www.colinmcrae.com were greeted by a black screen on Sunday with no information available.

Mr McRae was Britain's first rally world champion in 1995 and is the son of five times British rallying champion Jimmy McRae.
Mr McRae admitted to enjoying the adrenaline rush of activities such as bungee jumping and was a keen pilot.

Tributes from his contemporaries and friends continue to pour in.
Nicky Grist, his co-driver since 1997, said: "Colin was always regarded as being a bit of a risk-taker in cars, but when it came to flying a helicopter he was a totally different man.

"The one thing he always told me, he said 'You don't mess about with a helicopter. They are bigger and better than I am and you have to drive them as such."

Rev Bryan Kerr, minister of Lanark Greyfriars Church and a neighbour of the McRae family, said: "A lot of people have been stunned by this and our thoughts go out to all of the families affected.

"This will be hugely devastating, particularly in such a small community. You just don't expect these things to happen on your doorstep especially when it is someone who is so well known and well liked in the town.

"The town's ministers have spoken to each other and special prayers will be offered for all those affected by the tragedy and remembering those who are working on the rescue efforts and trying to piece together what happened."

First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond said: "Colin McRae was an outstanding Scottish sportsman of international stature and achievement.

"His death is a great tragedy, and my thoughts and condolences are with all the families and friends bereaved by this terrible accident." Read Article
A Sad Day for Motorsports - Colin McRae Killed in Helicopter Crash



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Fan1234Fan1234 - 9/16/2007 10:13:26 PM
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:/....sad day indeed.

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BFABBFAB - 9/16/2007 10:27:01 PM
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Oh no!! I started watching rally racing because of him back in the days. May his soul rest in peace. I tell you, some one has to come up with an exit/eject strategy for helicopters. Engine failures on these things are almost certainly fatal.

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AlecAlec - 9/16/2007 11:24:00 PM
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Same, got into Rallying when I was young and he was the first name I really knew in WRC.

R.I.P. To Colin and my condolences his family. You will be missed.


dwatsondwatson - 9/17/2007 12:41:33 AMView My AgentSpace
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I used to watch him when i was at school in England. He was an amazing rally driver. RIP

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SevorbeupstryIsBackSevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/17/2007 3:40:08 AM
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My condolences to his family. I wish them much strength and courage.

RIP.

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KingerKinger - 9/17/2007 4:59:27 AM
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I was saddened to here this, when I first started following rallying he was the main man at the time. My condolences go to his family in this difficult time.

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IS3andMEIS3andME - 9/17/2007 9:17:55 AM
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Sad day indeed, I as well started watching Rallying because of him. My condolences

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rockerrocker - 9/17/2007 10:39:28 AM
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Sad day especially that they all were so young with a lot of life ahead of them. I cannot imagine the anguish their families are going thru. Godspeed. I hope you are all racing in the next life.

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SpectatorSpectator - 9/17/2007 2:16:30 PM
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Trully a dark day for Scotland and racing as a whole.

My prayers go to Allison, Hollie and the rest of the McRae family.

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 9/17/2007 4:19:08 PM
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hes the reason I liked rally, RIP and prayers to his family.

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CarboyCarboy - 9/18/2007 6:26:43 PMView My AgentSpace
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R.I.P. Colin McRae
He was the reason I loved rally. I wish them Strength.

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