Rally star Colin McRae & son die in helicopter crash

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dropdfocus
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Rally star Colin McRae & son die in helicopter crash

Post by dropdfocus »

From The Sunday Times (UK)
September 16, 2007

Rally champion Colin McRae dies with son in helicopter crashTom Gordon for The Sunday Times
THE former rally driving champion Colin McRae was killed and his five year-old son feared dead in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon. The aircraft came down in Jerviswood, Lanarkshire, half a mile from the family's home and burst into flames just after 4pm.

Jean-Eric Freudiger, McRae's agent, said the 39-year-old driver had been piloting the helicopter himself. Also on board were believed to be his son Johnny, another adult and another child. Police said there were no survivors.

McRae's wife Alison and their daughter Hollie, 9, were not on board, friends said.

McRae became Britain's first World Rally champion in 1995. He was one of the country's most successful sportsmen, achieving 25 wins in World Rally events and 42 podium places. He was a flamboyant driver, inspiring one the world's best-selling computer rally games.

The helicopter came down within half a mile of McRae's home, Jervis House, a 16th-century tower house, which has an adjacent helipad. The weather had been overcast, with a light breeze, but visibility was good.

Strathclyde police said the extent of the fire damage was making identification a problem.

McRae's wife, a childhood sweetheart and his former co-driver, was taken back to the house under police escort shortly after 6pm. She looked calm, but neighbours gathering outside the house looked shaken with grief.

McRae's friend the rally journalist Jeremy Hart who flew with the champion several times described him as a "very good, very measured pilot whose natural ability with machinery was second to none". "Colin regularly flew all over the UK and into Europe," said Hart. "He knew the terrain and conditions at Jerviswood very well. It was the place he flew into most regularly.

"As a driver Colin was misunderstood slightly as being reckless but everything you saw with him came from pure raw talent as opposed to being learnt. He was the Michael Schumacher of rally driving.

"It's so ironic that he should die in a helicopter crash when he had competed and had brushed with death so many times as a rally driver."

Additional reporting: Paul Lamarra



:cry: I really hope to God this is some sick sad joke & is not one bit true. This would be and extreme loss to the rally community... :(
Last edited by dropdfocus on Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:09 am, edited 2 times in total.
Jason
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Post by ericem »

I am trying to figure that out myself. :(

http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more ... 461339.ece
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Post by dropdfocus »

I was very choked up when I read the news about it. He was someone I wanted to meet in person at next year's X-Games rally event. I'm just so saddened by the news of his death.
Jason
'92 LSS "Trixie" - TD04, '06 WRX TMIC, Invidia D/P & TXS U/P, 3" APEX'i CBE, custom intake, TXS MBC & BPV
Perrin LCP, WRX & H6 brakes, S/S lines, Cusco H-brace & RSTB, AGX's, Progress springs, SimplySubie fender braces
dropdfocus
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Post by dropdfocus »

The info has been verified by an email sent out that my friend Brandon received from Subaru of America. So, sadly it is not a hoax like I'd hoped... :cry:
Jason
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Post by ericem »

:cry:
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Post by AWD_addict »

It's sad to see another rally legend gone. :smt085
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Post by beatersubi »

A great loss, to be sure :cry: .
We, as a small segment of a large community, should do something to commemorate his glorius existence.
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Post by SuperRallyRoo »

This is 3 rally racing legends to pass away sense I have been in the sport. Very sad day for us all.
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dropdfocus
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Post by dropdfocus »

The ColinMcRae.com site has been updated with this info from Colin's father:
Sunday 16th September 2007

STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF COLIN McRAE’S FAMILY
Speaking on behalf of the whole family, Colin’s father, Jim McRae, said today:

“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.

Our thoughts are also very much with the families of Ben Porcelli and Graeme 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. Graeme, who now resides in France, had been a close friend of Colin’s since their schooldays and 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. Colin was very much an inspiration and role model to motorsport fans the world over.

As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for the family and we would ask that our privacy be respected and we be allowed to grieve in private.”
Also, news update posted on the ColinMcRae.com site:
Sunday 16th September 2007

HELICOPTER CRASH – JERVISWOOD, LANARK
Regarding yesterday’s helicopter crash at Jerviswood, Lanark, it has now been confirmed that there were four people, two adults and two young children on board.

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.

Ben Porcelli (6), of Cleghorn Road, Lanark, who had been over playing with Johnny, and family friend Graeme Duncan (37), of L’Ile Degaillot, Faycelles, France.

Chief Superintendent Tim Love, Divisional Commander, South Lanarkshire Division, said today:

“We believe that the group were just returning from a visit to the nearby village of Quarter around 1605 hours yesterday, when it appears that the helicopter got into difficulty and crashed within the grounds of Mr McRae’s family home.

“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.”

Please note that the families involved are not available for interview and media are asked to respect their privacy at this time.
You can post your condolences to the family here:
http://www.colinmcrae.com/condolences.asp

This is what I wrote -
R.I.P. Colin & son, also the other two passengers on board.
My prayers and thoughts go out to both families for their great loss.

"May the roads in heaven be paved with loose dirt and the occasional mud puddle. And may the car of your dreams be at your finger tips & never run out of fuel."

A father, husband & legend taken much too soon. The memory of Colin and his outstanding talent will always live on in the hearts of rally enthusiast around the world. The fans & your fellow competitors will miss you greatly.
Jason M. Rymell - 17/09/2007 15:12:22
Jason
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legacy92ej22t
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Post by legacy92ej22t »

Man, maybe it's because I'm a father myself but I'm more upset about his son and his sons friend dying then anything else. I actually got a lump in my throat.

I'm sad about Colin too but he lived his life on the edge, the two kids never got to live their lives at all.....
-Matt

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[quote="Redlined"]
Oh... and I hope the fucker get bunked with Gunter, arrested for raping Gorillas.[/quote]
dropdfocus
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Post by dropdfocus »

Yeah, when I read about the young kid coming over to the house to play with Colin's son, that hit me hard.

You are absolutely correct Matt about Colin living a full life, but he was still taken much too early in my opinion. No one should have to die so tragicly.

He gave so much to the motorsports community and was such a leader in bringing the rally lifestyle to the public masses. He's the first big name person that was brought to my attention that showed the flamboyant style of driving which rallying offered.
Jason
'92 LSS "Trixie" - TD04, '06 WRX TMIC, Invidia D/P & TXS U/P, 3" APEX'i CBE, custom intake, TXS MBC & BPV
Perrin LCP, WRX & H6 brakes, S/S lines, Cusco H-brace & RSTB, AGX's, Progress springs, SimplySubie fender braces
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Post by stipro »

I am saddened by the news. I have never met Colin, nor seen him in person, however he was the rally driver I looked up to. I grew up watching him and he was the initial persuasion to one day join the sport. He will be dearly missed. As for the children, deep heart felt sorrow. So unfair. Not like this.
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Post by SuperRallyRoo »

great pic of mcrae right here...
http://galeria.subaruklub.hu/displayima ... fullsize=1

found on http://galeria.subaruklub.hu/thumbnails ... =76&page=3
lots of great mcrae pics in there.
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Post by Woody9101 »

Very very sad :( right when I was getting into legacy's and learning more about him, he passes away :cry: I hope the best for his family
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