Sad to report the death of Colin McRea after he crashed piloting his helicopter near his home in Lanark, Scotland earlier today. Story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh ... ter115.xml and here: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,, ... 78,00.html Very sad day for motor sport. R.I.P

Ok now this is annoying me! There has been no offical confirmation it was Colin. He is a sporting legend and the fact people are saying hes dead is frankly slightly upsetting. Heres what the BBC say:
Copter crash near McRae property

The crash happened on the outskirts of Lanark
Two people are believed to have died in a helicopter crash near the Lanarkshire home of former World Rally Champion Colin McRae.
The helicopter came down at 1610 BST in Jervis Wood, about a mile from Lanark, and is understood to have caught fire.

Strathclyde Police said there were no survivors and that no further details about the victims would be released until Sunday.

Mr McRae, 39, is known to be a keen helicopter pilot.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had been led to believe two people were on board the Squirrel aircraft.

The damage has been so bad that we don't know how many people were on board

Strathclyde Police spokeswoman

However, Strathclyde Police said the helicopter damage was so bad they could not confirm how many were involved.

A police statement said: "Around 1610 BST on Saturday, 15 September 2007, emergency services were called to a helicopter crash in Jerviswood, east of the A73 at Lanark.

"There are no survivors.

"It is not known how many people were on board at this time and there will be no formal identification of anyone on board this evening."

The statement added that the air accident investigation team was on its way to Scotland to establish the cause of the crash.


The accident happened near Colin McRae's property

The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that its own helicopter had been despatched to the scene along with three ambulance crews.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service also has units in attendance at the scene.

The RAF spokesman said the incident did not involve a military aircraft and added that its helicopter was on stand-by to assist.

A spokesman for the British Airports Authority said the helicopter did not come from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports.

The Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said officers were trying to establish who was on board and where the helicopter was travelling to and from.

"The damage has been so bad that we don't know how many people were on board," she said.

"It might be one, it might be more. We just don't know at the moment."

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I agree Flash, nobody has actually said Colin HAS actually died, at the moment it's just speculation.

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The official lubricant for all Mercedes-Benz Motorsport engines

I think we have to think good things of Colin... that is all that we can do...

...I don't do this "is this true or not" vibe at all.

...if he's dead let's celebrate what he did in his life, and if he's alive let's celebrate what he did in this life and can continue to do so.

Unfortunately, based on what I've heard elsewhere, I suspect we're going to celebrate his life and there is no future. But let's hope this isn't the case.

Sean

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Supporting McLaren and Force India in F1 and Ralf Schumacher in DTM

Well at the moment, let's just assume he's not alive, because we've heard many "believed", "maybe's" and "possibles" - but no definite's yet.

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The official lubricant for all Mercedes-Benz Motorsport engines

a freind of mine who knows collin well tryed to phone him on his mobile and couldnt get through, and it is being reported collin and his 5 year old son were the 2 onboard.

Till its confirmed I REFUSE to believe it. He is a sporting legend and I dont like all these stories saying it could be him. If it is the sport should remember him for his success and not for stories like this.

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That would be truly tragic.

Sean

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Supporting McLaren and Force India in F1 and Ralf Schumacher in DTM

"Originally posted by sjn
I belong to a rally club up north and just got the following msg:

"well he was in it when it took off from my friend Davids place on the way home"

So unfortunately I don't think that there is any doubt, also seems his son may have been the other passenger.

It is extremely sad news. "

I'm sorry - really don't not what more to say

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Supporting McLaren and Force India in F1 and Ralf Schumacher in DTM

Unfortunately it has been confirmed:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 461339.ece

Sad day indeed.

The BBC and Sky cannot confirm until the police give them the word.

However, Colin's wife has released a statement. and both the Times and Daily Mail have confirmed.

Sadly, it looks like its game over

Its a sad, sad day for the rally world, and motorsport as a whole!

R.I.P Colin McRae: 1968 - 2007

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Steve Pearce - COME ON JIMMIE #48 D

For the McRae family losing two family members I am very sorry. Colin was a hard charger in racing and I always liked watching him.

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http://www.benclucas.co.uk/ -Talent

Very sad indeed!

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A truly tragic and shocking loss. No idea what else to say. RIP.

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Avid watcher of F1, A1GP, BTCC & all supports, WTCC, MotoGP, 125GP, 250GP, BSB, WSB, Nascar Sprint, Nascar Nationwide, DTM, Elite League Speedway, SGP, GP2 and anything other than endurance!