Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash

By Tom Bramwell Published 16 September, 2007

Tragic accident.

Rally driver Colin McRae - known to millions of gamers as the face of the Colin McRae Rally game series that he helped create - died along with his young son in a helicopter crash on Saturday.

The 39-year-old, an experienced pilot, had been flying a Twin Squirrel helicopter after a visit to a village near his home when it burst into flames. The crash also claimed the lives of his son Johnny's friend Ben Porcelli, 6, and Graeme Duncan, 37.

Senior figures throughout the world of motorsport have paid tribute to McRae, who became the first Briton to win the World Rally Championship drivers' title in 1995. David Richards, McRae's former boss at Subaru, told the BBC that he had an "extraordinary spirit that you just can't define".

McRae has been associated with the world of videogames for almost a decade - his relationship with British publisher Codemasters has seen him lend his name and considerable expertise to the creation of half a dozen acclaimed Colin McRae rally games.

Everyone at Eurogamer has been shocked and saddened to learn of this weekend's events, and our thoughts are with McRae's family.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (59) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Lexx87 #1 4 years ago

    Cheers for the post Tom and EG. Was wondering when you guys were going to give it a mention. Enjoy Tokyo with the Krudster!

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #2 4 years ago

    I don't have internet access at my flat, but as soon as I heard I rigged something up. I can't believe it. I don't know what else to say. Whether you're a fan of games or motorsport or both or neither, it's just such a tragic loss.

  • Aurifex. #3 4 years ago

    Really sad hearing this, such a bad thing to happen to any one. My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those poor people in the helicopter.

  • Lexx87 #4 4 years ago

    Fair play mate. Have Codemasters issued a statement? Well I guess it might be a little early for that, it's a crazy shock. I booted up DiRT in tribute. Especially saddening the 6 year old in there too, death is something thats always hard to get used to. When it's so senseless too...

    How do you get away with working for an online gaming site and having no internet access where you live :p

  • BadBoyBonner #5 4 years ago

    Makes you stop, think, shake your head and wonder what the “grand plan” is that can incorporate tragic event's such as this. Unfortunately I know exactly what it feels like to loose a parent as a child.

    Deepest condolences to the Porcelli, Duncan and McRae families, and especially Alison and Hollie.

  • The_Inquisitor #6 4 years ago

    Tragic news, he was an inspiration and a idol of the motoring world.

  • Arkanite #7 4 years ago

    RIP
    Was really unexpected :(
    For someone that risks his life so much out on the rally track, it's really unfortunate it came to something like this, especially how kids were involved too.

  • wa_uk #8 4 years ago

    absolutely tragic. i also booted up dirt in tribute. it's awful, especially with his son on board as well. thoughts and prayers go out to the Mcrae, Duncan, and Porcelli families.

  • zoidberg #9 4 years ago

    Seen this earlier.

    Really sad, for him and the kid passenger. Big waste.

  • LonesomeRoad #10 4 years ago

    RIP Colin. You'll be missed.

  • morriss #11 4 years ago

    Nice one EG. RIP Colin.

  • david78 #12 4 years ago

    It's true.
    The best die young...:(
    I really hope the series continues in his name. I wasn't a big fan of rallying, but I can tell he was a legend.

    R.I.P

  • Dabs #13 4 years ago

    I can only echo the sentiment of complete shock and sadness at this news. To lose Colin McRae is tragedy but for his 5 year-old boy and hs boy's 6 year-old friend to lose theirs just makes it infinately worse. And not forgetting Mr. Duncan, of course. RIP to all four of them. A tragic day.

  • Vin #14 4 years ago

    Devastated.

    I'll down a shot of JD for ya, Colin.

  • Xerx3s #15 4 years ago

    Can't even begin to imagine what the wife must be going through. :/

  • NewYork #16 4 years ago

    Probably grief or sadness or summat.

  • FooAtari #17 4 years ago

    Still can't believe this. So tragic, especially with his young son and his friend on board.

    One of the greatest drivers motor sport ever saw. Sympathies to all families.

    Quite weired how Dave Richards suffered an accident in a helicopter. And a few years ago Scottish motorcycle racer Steve Hislop also died in a helicopter crash...

  • TrickyTreeUK #18 4 years ago

    Terrible tragedy. First Richard Burns (34) now Colin McRae (39) :-(

    May they rest in peace...
    Edited by 1 at 16/09/07 @ 23:55

  • FooAtari #19 4 years ago

    Terrible tragedy. First Richard Burns (34) now Colin McRae (39) :-(

    May they rest in peace...

    Yeah, the countries only WRC champions now gone, both at such young ages. There is something ironic about drivers who survive a motorsport career only be lost prematurely in other accidents. Although Richard Burns died from and illness rather than accident, and it was that illness that cut his career short...

  • Pedrolot #20 4 years ago

    Still Shocked about all this.

    The bloke was a legend.

    RIP Colin.

  • chiz #21 4 years ago

    R.I.P. Scottish Legend

    I have to say though,what a shame those little boys will not be able to grow up.

    4 lifes, not 1, guys.
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/07 @ 00:10

  • mcmonkeyplc #22 4 years ago

    RIP Mr McRae. Your memory will live forever in the digital world.


  • spindizzy2 #23 4 years ago

    Just to echo what the rest have said - thanks EG for posting this, and my thoughts are with his family: I never really got into the games, but spent many an evening watching the man himself. His talent and enthusiasm (well, probably bloody-mindedness ;-) was incredible.

  • pesser #24 4 years ago

    REALLY SAD AT THIS NEWS

    R.I.P

  • AhrimaaN #25 4 years ago

    Insert inappropriate reference to dirt.

    rip mccrae and others
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/07 @ 03:04

  • Ryze #26 4 years ago

    Rest in peace Colin. You we're truly inspiring.

    EG - thanks for covering this so promptly, and waiting for the official announcement over any wild tabloid-esque speculation.

    Appreciated.

    ryz

  • Talha #27 4 years ago

    This is so incredibly tragic. The Richard Burns RAlly DVD on my shelf still gives me a jump - I guess the three McRae ones have joined that club, too.

    My only gripe: this should have been a lead story, on top for at least two days in tribute.

  • Junglist95 #28 4 years ago

    Deepest sympathy goes to the familys left behind, tragic that such young lives should end in this way.

    May they rest in peace

  • OnlyMe #29 4 years ago

    Tragic. Since I didn't have Dirt, I booted up my old Colin McRae 2.0 (still the best in the series, imo) on the PS1 to remind me of how he changed rally games forever.

  • Fab4 #30 4 years ago

    The loss of a legend, who spent his life doing what he loved and who enjoyed success in that field, is sad. However, the loss of 2 young lives is tragic. RIP for them all, and my condolences to all the families and friends at this time.

  • themorganator #31 4 years ago

    What a tragic loss for British motorsport. Fist Burns, now Colin.

  • RFT #32 4 years ago

    We (codemasters) are going to put out a statement today.

    Obviously we're all rather shocked and saddened by this, many of us were lucky enough to know colin fairly well.

  • Paddy_tt #33 4 years ago

    Big shock, a true legend of british motorsport.

    RIP Colin

  • OldK1ngCole #34 4 years ago

    RIP Colin.

    British Motorsport will never be the same again.

    My thoughts and prayers are with the Mcrae, Duncan, and Porcelli families.
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/07 @ 08:57

  • chicknstu #35 4 years ago

    Tragic. R.I.P.

  • Weezer #36 4 years ago

    The guy had everything, yet never even saw his 40th birthday. I can only echo the sentiments here: tragic, sad, unnecessary.

    My thoughts go out to his surviving family.


  • dr_shambles #37 4 years ago

    Sad news. R.I.P. Colin. You were a true sportsman.

  • Darren #38 4 years ago

    I really couldn't believe it. When I first heard he'd died, I thought it was in a rally accident but when I found out he'd died in a helicopter with his young son, friend and friend's son, it just made it so much more tragic. Sad news indeed.

  • Steroyd #39 4 years ago

    :( so it is true.

    Was hoping it wasn't true after the news suspected it was Colin McCrae but wasn't confirmed at the time.

    And to lose half the McCrae family like that. :(

  • Killerbee #40 4 years ago

    Was very saddened and shocked to hear this. I'm sure Colin will be sorely missed by his friends and family - and of course fans of rally gaming.

    RIP all of them.

  • SteveB #41 4 years ago

    So sad this, particuarly as young kids were involved as well. I still can't believe that both Richard Burns and Colin McRae are both gone now. RIP.

  • DodgyPast #42 4 years ago

    The thing I always admired was he always looked like he was driving on the ragged edge always a hair out of control. I guess that made him perfect for the games since we get to play like that without the risks.

    So many amasing crashes.... he never got scared and could be expected to be seen laughing and joking afterwards. I don't think I ever saw him criticise his team once.

    Terrible sadness for all those involved, to lose so many loved ones and friends.

  • Vroom #43 4 years ago

    RIP Colin you crazy bastard :o(

    Motorsport will miss you.

  • That_Happy_Cat #44 4 years ago

    I only heard about this on the radio this morning and felt awful. I never watch rally but I've always payed the games. It's strange that I'm effectively showing grief for the loss of "digital" Colin. I guess when you grow up with a name you'l always feel something.

    My bst friend and I, when I passed my driving test years 10 years ago used to make a joke about copying his Focus advert where he'd hold his hands up and turn them around? I'd totally forgotten about that until today... think I'll give my friend a call tonight.
    Edited by 1 at 17/09/07 @ 11:29

  • Avenger1324 #45 4 years ago

    Couldn't believe it when I heard it

    Rest In Peace

  • andromeda #46 4 years ago

    Can't believe it. Thanks Colin for all the enjoyment you gave to us.
    RIP good man.

  • jellyhead #47 4 years ago

    I was shocked to hear this news over the weekend, such a tragic accident. My condolences to the Mcrae, Duncan, and Porcelli families.

  • hypernova #48 4 years ago

    Sad news. RIP.

  • Putty-Man #49 4 years ago

    Just to add my condolences to the list.

    Reminds me of a national rally legend in Ireland, Bertie Fisher, who also tragically died with 2 of his sons when he crashed his helicopter. Such a similar fate to another motorsport great.

    McRae was a legend alright, he and Burns will be postin some times round the heavens by now!

  • Twincoil #50 4 years ago

    What will happen to the series?

  • Beano #51 4 years ago

    How ironic - McRae himself dies just after Codemasters basicly killed the CMR series with DIRT :(

    RIP Colin.

  • dave06 #52 4 years ago

    what a terrible shame, my heart goes out to all the people who are involved with this terrible tragedy

  • themerlin13 #53 4 years ago

    Very sad, sorry for is other son, wife and brother.
    RIP Colin

  • Artemis_Matsas #54 4 years ago

    Tragic news. My condolences to all the affected families.

  • Calgon #55 4 years ago

    RIP - Collin, his son and friends who were with him.

    Condolences to the family and friends of those who died.

  • Jimpanse #56 4 years ago

    tragic news, my condolences to all the involved families

  • Rodriguez #57 4 years ago

    R.I.P to one of Britain's best motorsport heroes.

  • DocTep #58 4 years ago

    I heard about this in the build up to the F1 race yesterday and was very saddened. It's good to see Eurogamer run an article on this, and I'd like to add my own respects and condolences to the McRae's and the other families affected by this tragedy.

  • Lov3 #59 4 years ago

    Terrible tragedy. First Richard Burns (34) now Colin McRae (39) :-(

    Richard Burns is dead too?! Who's going to drive for england now?

    Damn, WRC is literally the only sporting event i'm interested it. That sucks. McRae was a hero of sorts to me when I was younger :(.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/07 @ 14:47