Rally driver Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash

4 hours ago

LONDON (AFP) — British rally driver Colin McRae and his five-year-old son were among four people killed in a helicopter crash this weekend in Scotland, police said Sunday.

Tributes poured in from the sporting and political arenas in honour of McRae, who in 1995 was the first Briton to win the world rally championship.

Scottish police said the 39-year-old driver, who was a licensed pilot, his son Johnny and two family friends including a six-year-old boy were killed in the crash in the grounds of McRae's home in Lanark on Saturday.

"We believe that the group were just returning from a visit to the nearby village of Quarter around 1605 (1505 GMT) hours yesterday, when it appears that the helicopter got into difficulty and crashed within the grounds of Mr McRae's family home," Chief Superintendent Tim Love of Lanarkshire police said in the statement.

"Our officers are working closely with the Air Accident Investigation Team who are presently at the scene.

"Family Liaison Officers have been appointed and are with the families to help them through this distressing and difficult time."

"Although a post mortem has still to take place, the four involved are believed to be: Mr Colin McRae (39) of Jerviswood House and his son Johnny Gavin McRae, aged 5."

The two others were named as six-year-old Ben Porcelli, of Lanark, and Graeme Duncan, 37, who lived in France.