Colin McRae killed in helicopter crash

McRae feared dead after crash
From correspondents in London, England
September 16, 2007
BRITISH former World Rally Champion Colin McRae was believed to have been killed in a fatal helicopter crash at his home on Saturday.

Four people died in the crash at Jerviswood near the town of Lanark in southern Scotland, Strathclyde Police said.

There were no survivors and formal identification of the bodies was not expected until later on Sunday (AEST).

The Times Online reported it was believed McRae's five-year-old son Johnny, another child and another adult were killed in the crash.

The report said friends of the family say McRae's wife Alison and their daughter Hollie, 9, were not on board.

"We can now confirm that four people were on board the helicopter which crashed in the wooded area in Lanark at 16:10pm (1:10am Sunday, AEST) this afternoon,'' a Strathclyde Police spokesman told AFP.

"The bodies were found within the helicopter which is owned by Mr Colin McRae. It is believed he was on board.

"However, until formal identification has taken place we will be unable to confirm the identities of those on board.

"Police are still at the scene where further searches are continuing. Air accident investigations will be carrying out a full investigation into the cause of the crash.''

A police source anticipated formal identification might be made mid-morning Sunday (local time).

McRae, 39, held a pilot's licence and travelled by helicopter on a regular basis. The Scot won the 1995 World Rally Championship and was the runner-up in 1996, 1997 and 2001.

He was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996.

Reuters

Saw this earlier. Very sad.

Tragic. Both British former WRC champions are now gone.

Very sad.

Seems like his 5 year old daughter was also on board

His poor wife . . .lost everything.

From a selfish point of view, I'm glad I didn't read this last week.