The Topaz Donegal International Rally, the fifth round in the 2008 Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, was cancelled on Saturday following an accident which killed a spectator.
The incident occurred on the Carn Hill stage, near Letterkenny and according to reports by the
BBC the victim was 18-year-old Richard O'Donnell, from Strabane, known locally as Richard McGrath. It is understood he was trying to cross the test when he was hit by the Ford Fiesta of Elfyn Evans. Elfyn and co-driver Gareth Roberts were both uninjured.
A statement on the Topaz Donegal International Rally's official website read:
"Donegal Motor Club regret that following an incident on Stage 11 of the Donegal International Rally, at approx 2.45 pm today [Saturday], a spectator attending the rally was fatally injured.
"We wish to extend our sympathies to the spectator's family and friends and as a mark of respect the Motor Club has decided that the third leg of the rally, the Sunday stages, will not take place.
"The incident is being fully investigated at present and initial indications are that there was no driver error involved.
"We urge anyone who may be able to assist the Gardai with their investigation to contact Superintendent Vincent O'Brien, of Letterkenny Garda station who has appealed for witnesses to come forward. Contact Gardai at (074) 9122222."
Multiple Irish Tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly had been leading the event in his Skoda Fabia WRC, prior to the tragedy - 19 seconds up on Kevin Lynch's Ford Focus. He was subseqently declared the winner. Gareth MacHale was third, a further 2 seconds back, followed by current Irish Tarmac championship leader, Eamonn Boland and Daniel Doherty.
"We fully support this decision taken by Donegal Motorclub and extend our most sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life," added Bobby Clinton, chairman of the Tarmac Rally Organisers Association.
It is the second time in six years the event has been abandoned, as it was also cancelled in 2002 when the Citroen of Seamus Gallagher left the road and killed two marshals.
Crash.net joins the entire rallying community in extending its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.
