Scots rally ace killed in Spain aircraft crash
‘The family must be devastated’
A FORMER Scottish rally champion has died following a light aircraft crash in Spain.
Donald Milne, 65, was in a biplane that reportedly collided with a firefighting helicopter as both were landing at an airfield near Alicante on December 30.
He was found seriously injured and was rushed to hospital but attempts to save his life proved in vain. Nobody else was injured in the incident, which is being examined by air crash investigators.
Mr Milne was a former North Sea businessman with a keen interest in rallying and won the Scottish Rally Championship in 1991. Originally from Aberdeen, he is understood to have been living in Spain with his wife, Fiona, for the last 20 years.
Mr Milne is said to have helped launch the career of Colin McRae, who became the youngest-ever winner of the World Rally Championship but died in a helicopter crash with three other people near his home in Lanark in 2007.
Motorsport journalist John Fife paid tribute online to Mr Milne in his blog, saying: ‘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.
‘Invariably he was sitting kicking his heels in some exotic airport, waiting for connecting business flights. I’m sure we’d all like to express our sincere condolences to his wife Fiona, the boys Quintin and Freddie, and their rela- tives and wide circle of friends. He’ll be sorely missed.’
The Scottish Rally Championship posted a picture of Mr Milne’s 1991 triumph on its website, with the message: ‘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.’
Neighbours of Quintin Milne in the village of Durris near Banchory, Aberdeenshire, expressed their sadness at the news of his father’s death.
One said: ‘This has come as a shock. I have known Quintin for a long time. I never knew his father but knew of him.
‘He was a great rally man. It’s very sad.’
Another spoke of the impact of the air tragedy on Donald Milne’s relatives in Durris, saying: ‘It’s such tragic news, they are such a lovely couple. They must be devastated.’