McRae feared killed in chopper crash

[BGonaSTICK]

Former World Rally champion Colin McRae is feared dead after a his helicopter crashed near his home in Scotland, killing all it's pilot and all three passengers.

Crash investigators have now begun examining the wreckage of the Squirrel helicpoter, which came down on McRae's Jerviswood Estate near Lanark, following a statement by Strathclyde police in which they said they believed the 39-year-old Scot was on-board.

Police also said that they hope to be able to identify the four victims later on today.

Source: Yahoo

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Really sad news

[barr6868]

Devastating news.
I went to school with his wife, alison.
I can see the esate from the bedroom window and this has shocked the whole town, as well as all the country.
His wee boy and another wee boy in the chopper as well.
Bloody hell.

[barr6868]

Quote from BBC News website :
Mr McRae, 39, his son Johnny, friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37, died following a helicopter crash in Lanarkshire on Saturday

Quote from BBC News website :

Fellow Scot and Formula One ace David Coulthard, said: "He and Alison were good friends and I cannot imagine either without the other.
"He was fearless, flamboyant, blindingly quick in the car.
"We had some great times and his passing is a terrible blow for the McRae family and everyone who came in contact with him."


OMG, still can't believe it. :'(

Really! ops:

[wod]

really sad news couldn't believe it when i heard, as was when richard burns died of a brain tumour

[crossbones]

Yes very sad, makes it worse that the two young boys were killed.

Cant imagine how is wife is feeling.

RIP.

[barr6868]

Sunday 30th September 2007

STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF COLIN MCRAE’S FAMILY
Speaking on behalf of the McRae family, Alister McRae said:

"It's been a very difficult time, not just for us, but for both the other families as well. To have received as much support as we have through the website, cards and flowers, is overwhelming and pretty amazing."

"Colin will be remembered for what he was; an extremely gifted driver, a great person and a good friend to a lot of people."

END

Additional Notes:

Official crowd estimates indicate that over 20,000 people attended the outdoor service in Lanark High Street, relayed from the service inside St Nicholas Church. The crowd overflowed the High Street (capacity 20,000) into St Leonard’s Street and Bannatyne Street.

750 family members, friends and guests filled the church to capacity which suggests that well in excess of 21,000 people were in Lanark for the day – a town which ‘normally’ has a population of around 8,250.

Amongst those attending the service (in no particular order) were Mr I Kudoh / Mr S Sagaya from Subaru in Japan, Damon Hill, Lord March, Malcolm and Matthew Wilson and Marcus Gronholm (Ford World Rally Team), Andrew Cowan, Dario and Marino Franchitti, Luis Moya, Allan McNish, John Cleland, Jason Plato, Christian Loriaux, Sven Quandt (BMW), Guy Frequelin (Citroen World Rally Team), Didier Auriol, Mark and Paul Stewart, Derek Ringer, Nicky Grist, Phil Mills, Ian Grindrod, David Lapworth (Prodrive), Fred Gallagher, Stefan Bengtsson, Ronan Morgan, Andrew Nesbitt, Damien Crawford, Kris Meeke, Bill Gwynne, Terry Kaby, Paul Di Resta, John Richardson (MSA), Tony Mason, Mike Broad, Ken Wood, Brian Lyall, David

Quote from Colin Mcrae's website

[barr6868]

Me and the Missus went down to the cermony yesterday.
It was very moving with the whole service being broadcast to big screens on the High Street, and the place filled with lots of visitors.
Spoke to the little boy's teacher today who actually spoke at the ceremony.Really upsetting.
We don't get many World Champions in this area and to have the rally driving community turn out in force to remember one of their own was something special IMO.
Colin's quote " We're here for a good time , not a long time" was the way he lived his life.
Far too short by a long road.

[BGonaSTICK]

I'm not normally too bothered when well-known people pass on, but I've been quite upset by this tragedy. The guy has my utmost respect, and judging by the who's who of motorsport that paid their respects in person, he commanded that from both the rallying community and the local one too.

My father was involved with rallying for many years, so I know a bit about the sport at club level. I also know Bill Gwynne from where I attended rally school, and have watched most of the others compete at some point.

Terribly sad. He had the right attitude to life though.

May he RIP