Colin McRae, the former world rally driving champion, is feared dead in a helicopter crash in Scotland.
The aircraft burst into flames after it came down in woodland near Lanark, at around 4.10pm, killing everyone on board.
Jean-Eric Freudiger, McRae’s agent, last night told The Sunday Telegraph he had spoken to the driver’s brother and that he had confirmed the former champion had been piloting the Squirrel aircraft.
Speaking from his home in Switzerland, Mr Freudiger said he was still in shock and fighting back tears as he said he could not reach Mr McRae’s wife, Alison.
He added: "I have heard that it was his aircraft. He was in the helicopter. I cannot believe it was a helicopter pilot error because as my best friend and the godfather of my daughter I know he was a very safe pilot.
Still no official confirmation but the comments and rumours doing the rounds seem to point to bad news.
Met Colin a couple of times over the years and he was a complete petrolhead and a nice bloke.
A real loss if the story is confirmed.
I originally come from the Lanark area and my family still live up there. The whole McRae family are very well thought of so there will be a lot of shocked people in the area.
(Any chance you can spell his name correct in the thread title)