Former rally champion dies in crash

A former rally champion has died after a light aircraft crash in Spain.

Donald Milne, 65, was in a biplane which reportedly collided with a firefighting helicopter as they both neared landing at an airfield near Alicante on 30 December.

He was found seriously injured and rushed to hospital but later died.

Mr Milne was a former North Sea businessman with a keen interest in rallying and won the Scottish title in 1991. He is said to have lived in Spain with his wife for the past 20 years.

The Scottish Rally Championship posted on its website: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the sudden passing of 1991 Scottish rally champion Donald Milne.

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Quintin, Freddie and family.”

Mr Milne is also said to have helped launch the career of Colin Mcrae, who became the youngest-ever winner of the World Rally Championship.

Mr Mcrae died in a helicopter crash with three other people near his home in Lanark in 2007.

Motorsport journalist John Fife paid tribute to Mr Milne in his blog and wrote: “Even when he had ‘retired’ from rallying he still retained an interest and there were times here at home when the phone would ring late at night or in the early hours, and it was Donald looking for the latest gossip and who was doing what.”