Spectator tells inquiry of the shocking moment three were killed during race
A RALLY fan yesterday described the horrifying moment when a race car “went through” a group of spectators, killing three people.
Michael Jack was watching the Jim Clark Rally in the Borders when he witnessed a driver “losing control”.
The 63-year-old was giving evidence at a fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of Iain Provan, 64, Elizabeth Allan, 63, and Len Stern, 71, in May 2014.
Michael lives close to the spot near Coldstream where the crash happened.
He told Edinburgh Sheriff Court rally cars often took off from a hump-backed bridge there before landing again on a straight stretch of road.
Michael said a group of people had gathered after the bridge in a “dangerous” position.
He said: “There were two cars coming down the road. The first one came over the bridge and he was OK. Then the second one came and he lost control.
“The car started spinning and then went through and took the people out with it.”
He said the spectators tried to move “but it was too quick – they couldn’t go anywhere”.
The building site manager said as he ran into his house to call 999, he heard a boy shouting: “Dad, dad.”
The court saw video footage Michael had shot of rallies in previous years. Clips showed cars coming off the road near where the fatal collision happened.
The inquiry was also shown footage of a rally car coming off the road close to the scene of the accident during the morning stage in 2014.
The fatal crash happened during the afternoon stage.
Michael said in previous years marshals were stationed near his home – but claimed that wasn’t the case in 2014.
He added that a safety car making loudspeaker announcements had passed the accident spot earlier, warning spectators to get back behind a tape.
The court also heard from Alan Johnstone, 66, who was handling the rally’s media accreditation.
Alan, of Hawick, said Iain had been accredited as a photographer and Elizabeth, known as Betty, as a journalist.
He said all media representatives signed declarations that they were aware of “potential risks” at the circuit.
When shown footage of Iain and others lining the route at the spot where the crash happened, he said: “I wouldn’t be very happy with where they were standing near the side of the road.”
The joint fatal accident inquiry, which has already examined the death of Joy Robson, 51, at the 2013 Snowman Rally near Inverness, continues.