Colin McRae Killed in Chopper Crash [Archive]

Psykoboy2

09-15-2007, 02:03 PM

News seems to be just breaking on this, but reports are coming in that a helicopter has crashed near McRae's home in Lanarkshire.

From BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6996860.stm):

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."

More info from TimesOnline (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2461339.ece) thanks to rein:

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.

Our sympathies go out to McRae's family and friends and the people at Codemasters, most of which had known him well and become good friends with him throughout their long relationship in the McRae racing game series.

Norse

09-15-2007, 02:09 PM

I read that Colin McRae and his five year old son was in the helicopter. Tragic news :(

Heretic Machine

09-15-2007, 02:11 PM

I read that Colin McRae and his five year old son was in the helicopter. Tragic news :(

Aww man, that is awful if true.

rein

09-15-2007, 02:24 PM

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.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk (http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2461339.ece)

Johan

09-15-2007, 02:38 PM

Oh my gosh...that's horrible news; very sad.

Man. One minute you're here, the next, you're not. Game over. :(

ReaverX

09-15-2007, 02:42 PM

Terrible news. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Darkmatter

09-15-2007, 02:49 PM

It's unclear at this time how this might affect the company and the game series itself.

Dude... c'mon, this is horribly tragic news... who cares how it'll effect the company? what about the wife and daughter who doesn't have a husband/faster/son/brother any more?

Psykoboy2

09-15-2007, 02:50 PM

Good point. Out of line. Editing now. My apologies.

Crittias

09-15-2007, 02:55 PM

Dude... c'mon, this is horribly tragic news... who cares how it'll effect the company? what about the wife and daughter who doesn't have a husband/faster/son/brother any more?

Good point. Out of line. Editing now. My apologies.Don't edit it. No one doubts it's tragic news, and no one doubts your ability to recognize the gravity of the situation. That said, EvAv is a computer gaming site. You're allowed to highlight why this news is specifically relevant to gamers.

Darth Sonik

09-15-2007, 02:57 PM

This is horrible news. I wish all the bereaved family and friends my condolences.

Telefrog

09-15-2007, 03:01 PM

I am such an asshole. I was about to make a completely tasteless joke about Colin MacRae's DIRT and how appropriate the title is now, but then I realized how completely insensitive and jacked up that would be. Instead, I will say that I feel very sorry for his family's loss and hope that the media allows them their time of grief.

Again, I apologize for even thinking about making light of the situation. I am sorry. Please continue with your showing of support while I take some time to figure out what the Hell is wrong with me.

Psykoboy2

09-15-2007, 03:02 PM

Don't edit it. No one doubts it's tragic news, and no one doubts your ability to recognize the gravity of the situation. That said, EvAv is a computer gaming site. You're allowed to highlight why this news is specifically relevant to gamers.

Turns out, I can do both. But yes, that is what I was trying to do - point out the relation to gaming and why this was front paged.

Gorvi

09-15-2007, 03:05 PM

That really is terrible, especially so with young children on board. :(

Darkmatter

09-15-2007, 03:09 PM

Sorry man you'll have to excuse my sensitivity. I just lost my own father to cancer on Aug 27th, so I can feel there pain.

Lutheran

09-15-2007, 03:25 PM

I feel terrible for his wife and daughter..I tell you , these little planes have taken a lot of famous and not so famous people out of this world. I am scared to death of flying in a small plane so I avoid them..I would rather drive. This is pretty damn shocking , its damn sad.

rein

09-15-2007, 03:28 PM

Sorry man you'll have to excuse my sensitivity. I just lost my own father to cancer on Aug 27th, so I can feel there pain.

I wasn't going to comment because some of life is to personal to share but I unexpectedly lost my sister last week. I feel their pain too but what happens to the company and the game franchise is a reasonable concern. Especially in relation to this site. Now, Telefrog... ...I have to wonder what is wrong with that boy. (joking, of course)

absolut taco

09-15-2007, 03:36 PM

This sucks. That man is a legend for his rally skills.

Telefrog

09-15-2007, 03:57 PM

Now, Telefrog... ...I have to wonder what is wrong with that boy. (joking, of course)

Well, I'm not. Sometimes I am deeply disturbed by my own lack of sensitivity.

Rock Bandit

09-15-2007, 04:25 PM

Well, I'm not. Sometimes I am deeply disturbed by my own lack of sensitivity.

The fact that you can recognize it makes you better than most.

I hope his wife and daughter can make it through this. To lose both your husband and son (father and brother) on the same day.....oof.

JRR006

09-15-2007, 04:56 PM

I didn't know who he was until I wiki'd the name (sad news regardless of who was involved, of course), but my condolences to his family and friends. At least his wife and daughter still have each other, and probably extended family, to rely on.

FreezaSama

09-15-2007, 05:27 PM

The first thing I thought of when I read this was Davey Allison's helicopter crash years ago. Is there some fixation race car drivers have with choppers? Very sad news, either way.

LilBunnyFuFu

09-15-2007, 05:40 PM

That really is a terrible thing to hear. I was having a good day. Its such a shame. I will keep them in my prayers.

Disgustipated

09-15-2007, 05:59 PM

Jesus fucking Christ, that is terrible. God damn. Can't believe the greatest rally car driver of all time is gone.

Slack3r78

09-15-2007, 06:46 PM

Wow, awful, awful news. McRae was a total class act.

CaptStu

09-15-2007, 06:58 PM

This is awful news. I am not sure what to say. My heart goes out to family.

Chees3mz

09-15-2007, 07:36 PM

That's terrible. Sometimes it's hard to believe things like this happen...

tombofsoldier

09-15-2007, 08:24 PM

Ouch, wow.

Inspector Fowler

09-15-2007, 08:41 PM

Not even two years after Richard Burns died, as well. And last season (or maybe the 2005 one?), Marko Martin's co-driver was killed in a crash. 3-4 years ago, the Subaru US Rally team lost its driver AND co-driver in a crash. The rally world has suffered some big losses lately.

Richard Burns' illness aside, I think some people are drawn to risk, they enjoy the rush. So I think it is natural that a talented daredevil like McRae would want to learn to fly helicopters, it's a new challenge for him.

My world (and even my choice of car!) have been affected by this man and his racing career. I canceled my cable because they don't carry World Rally Championship coverage on Speed anymore! I never knew I could enjoy auto racing so much until I'd seen this man and his colleagues test themselves.

I know he'll be memorialized somehow but it doesn't make it any better :(

blackzc

09-15-2007, 08:45 PM

I wasn't going to comment because some of life is to personal to share but I unexpectedly lost my sister last week.[/I])

Im so sorry about your sister. I lost my little brother (19) last year. So i know how you feel.

Did colin mcrea have a wife? Her world must be shattered right now. Life can be so dam tough.

jpublic

09-15-2007, 08:51 PM

That's horrible news. I hope his loved ones have all the support they need. McRae was one of the greats in his sport, and it's lessened by his loss.

Ultima Thulian

09-15-2007, 09:38 PM

That's life. Hopefully, the family will be able to cope well.

sol740

09-15-2007, 10:09 PM

I am such an asshole. I was about to make a completely tasteless joke about Colin MacRae's DIRT and how appropriate the title is now, but then I realized how completely insensitive and jacked up that would be.

Yet you find a way to post the joke anyway. Tis teh webz I suppose.

Its a sad, sad day for rally. My thoughts go to his family.

CylonLord

09-15-2007, 10:48 PM

Terrible news and a sad day.

Lunar Blue

09-16-2007, 01:15 AM

Fuck this shit. First Richard Burns and now Colin. Not only were they awesome drivers and WRC world champions, they also had the best driving games out there. Richard Burns Rally, best driving game EVER and CMR a distant second. I wonder if CM will keep on making games using Colin's name or if they choose another. Hey, not trying to be an asshole, just wondering! Gamer first, humanitarian second :)

Wedge

09-16-2007, 01:21 AM

Tragic news. The first Colin McRae game is still my most played racing game ever, and I fondly remember the scottish voice instructing me in the tutorials. One of the best rally drivers and a great guy to boot. My thoughts go out to the family, friends and rally fans.

Cool AN

09-16-2007, 02:24 AM

Poor guys. My condolences to the family.

bKangy

09-16-2007, 03:15 AM

Holy poo :( Thoughts go out to his family.

BorisCal

09-16-2007, 03:33 AM

I only started enjoying the WRC because of this man, and it's very sad to see a great champion go in such a way, the tragedy is amplified that both his son and another man and child were in the chooper with him. :(

Spigot

09-16-2007, 04:21 AM

Well, I'm not. Sometimes I am deeply disturbed by my own lack of sensitivity.You're fine, Telefrog. Trust me. Humour, especially dark humour, is how a lot of perfectly well-adjusted folk get themselves through rough spots in life.

As for this news, it does truly suck, especially with the fact that his son and another man and child died in the accident. I'm not terribly familiar with McRae outside of the rally games but this is just plain old bad news.

Given that DiRT didn't feature McRae's name and that he wasn't really in it aside from as a competitor in the odd race, I doubt that it would affect the new rally games from Codemasters too much.

fitbabits

09-16-2007, 04:53 AM

I'm speechless...

My thoughts and prayers go out to the McRae family and friends.

imgneevrythng

09-16-2007, 08:39 AM

Two other people also died in the crash -- 6-year-old Ben Porcelli and 37-year-old Graeme Duncan. The aircraft was badly burned, making it impossible for police to immediately identify the occupants.

taken from...

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=99&id=3022712

ive always enjoyed watching rally racing on the speed channel whenever it was on. once in awhile id catch colin driving. what a guy...

sad news

fitbabits

09-16-2007, 08:53 AM

I just know that Colin is rally driving in heaven right now. With his son as a co-pilot.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44119000/jpg/_44119692_mcrae270.jpg

LilEvilFish

09-16-2007, 09:09 AM

This has been such a bad chapter of British motorsport over the past couple of years. Like someone already mentioned, we lost Richard Burns not long ago. We also had a fatal crash at the Isle of Man TT which overshadowed a record breaking race. A few weeks ago, Leon Camier crashed out of the British Superbike Championship, breaking his leg in the process.

Now this morning I tuned in to watch the F1 Grand Prix and that was the first moment I heard about this (they had a short announcement before the race). I actually did a double take because I just couldn't believe it at first. I think even the commentators were stunned.

If you guys hadn't heard already, the 4 occupants of the helicopter were killed, Colin, his son, and two others, one of which was a friend of his son, only 6 years old.

Yet our news programmes feel it's more important to talk about the rugby world cup and fucking football than actually remember a sporting legend.

So sad.

solaris389

09-16-2007, 12:06 PM

Given that DiRT didn't feature McRae's name and that he wasn't really in it aside from as a competitor in the odd race, I doubt that it would affect the new rally games from Codemasters too much.

Only in the US, I'm pretty sure everywhere else it featured his name somewhere in the title.

Other than that, my thoughts are with the surviving McRae family.

Sl1pstream

09-16-2007, 12:24 PM

Yeah, over here it was Colin McRae's DiRT. I fully expect the next title in the series to feature his name worldwide because of this.

solaris389

09-16-2007, 01:08 PM

Apparently the Subaru Rally team boss and his wife survived a helicopter crash earlier on his way home after news of Colin's crash. Weird that two Subaru Rally members crash helicopters in the same weekend.

Link to the BBC story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/essex/6997784.stm

Slack3r78

09-16-2007, 01:37 PM

Majster Wichajster

09-16-2007, 01:57 PM

This does remind me of a certain manta ray. I honestly thought he would die in a car crash.

Still, it is pretty fucked up that not only he died, but also his son, another guy and his son too. Ouch.

atariv8

09-16-2007, 02:13 PM

Man, a camera guy I used to work with just died in a helicopter crash in Florida shooting a boat video a week ago...what's the deal.

DeathtollWRX

09-16-2007, 05:08 PM

helicopter safety needs to be checked. Not too long ago two news copters crashed into each other killing all aboard. Being another human being and Rally fan Colin's death brings sadness.

Headcase

09-16-2007, 05:36 PM

That's unfortunate. My condolences to everyone in the chopper and their families.

Ravana

09-16-2007, 06:06 PM

Having driven around in his virtual cars for so many years, I feel like I actually know the guy. I hope his rally games keep coming out, and with his name on the box.

shadeycat

09-17-2007, 02:21 AM

Terrible news about the crash, Colin was a legend in Scotland and will be missed badly.
I read in the paper this morning that he was quoted as saying that lots of people who bought his games were under the impression that he was a fictional character, like Lara Croft. Its an ill informed world we live in even when there is such free access to information.
God speed Colin.

phantomhitman

09-17-2007, 03:54 AM

long live a legend, my thoughts go out to his family

helicopter safety needs to be checked. Not too long ago two news copters crashed into each other killing all aboard. Being another human being and Rally fan Colin's death brings sadness.
I think I might know what crash you are talking about, it was not a maintenance issue.