RALLY driver Colin McRae and his five-year-old son were in a helicopter which crashed yesterday killing all four people on board, police said today.
The rally champion's official website
http://www.colinmcrae.com
changed to just a black screen this morning. It was previously full of information on the racer.
A statement issued by Strathclyde Police confirmed there were "no survivors".
David Lowry, who owns New Steadings Farm, just across the Mouse Water from McRae's home, said he saw the helicopter come down.
He told Scotland on Sunday: "I was speaking to one of my friends on the farm.
"The helicopter came overhead and then dropped into the valley.
"After it disappeared I saw smoke rising from the trees and phoned the emergency services. I could not see what happened when it went down."
The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that its own helicopter had been despatched to the scene along with three ambulance crews.
Strathclyde Fire Brigade also had units in attendance at the scene.
Stand-by
A spokesman for the RAF confirmed that the helicopter was not a military aircraft but one of its own helicopters was on stand-by to assist.
The helicopter did not come from either Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport, according to a spokesman for the British Airports Authority.
Police cordoned off the area around the incident and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch was informed.
McRae became the Briton to win the World Rally Championship drivers' title in 1995 and hails from a well-known motor racing family in Scotland.
His father, Jimmy, is a five-time British rally champion and his brother, Alister, is also former British rally champion.
Colin McRae is married to Alison and has two children, Hollie and Johnny.
Champion
As well as winning the world championship driving a Subaru in 1995, he was runner-up in 1996, 1997 and 2001.
It was understood that police were in contact with the McRae family last night in connection with the crash.
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It truely is a dark day for motorsports.
My heart goes out to his family at this time. My heart also goes out to his son, taken mush too young. Sleep well and Godspeed.
xx
First Richard Burns and now Colin McRae.
A sad and tragic loss, especially given his son was on the flight too.
deepest sympathy to all the McRae family and everone else who lossed a loved one in this tragic accident.
a tragic loss of not only a brilliant rally legend but 2 young boys who had a lifetime of adventure ahead of them. god bless and r.i.p.
Tragic. First Burns then McRae. Let's hope his achievements are celebrated to the degree they deserve. He was a world champion in the world's greatest spectator sport.
May I offer my sympathy to Colin's family for their loss
Also what a loss to motor sport.Rest in peace Colin.