Fatal accident at Jim Clark Rally, 3 dead

Britain's prestigious Jim Clark Rally, held annually in Scotland, was canceled on May 31 after two serious crashes left at least three people dead and six injured.

Police investigate the accident. (Source: PA)

Scotland Police said the more serious accident occurred at around 4pm on May 31, when one of the cars participating in the race suddenly lost control and crashed into a group of four spectators standing on the side of the road watching the sporting event, killing three people and leaving the other in critical condition.

Two hours earlier, at the same race, another collision occurred, injuring five people, one of whom was seriously injured.

The Jim Clark Race has 16 races to go and is only two races away from its conclusion, but organisers have decided to suspend the event following two tragic accidents. Police Scotland are actively investigating the cause of the accident, in collaboration with a number of motoring clubs and the Motor Sports Association (MSA).

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond expressed his sadness at the tragic accident, saying it was a dark day for the race, which has been running for more than 40 years and is much loved in Scotland.

The Jim Clark Rally is named after legendary British Formula One driver Jim Clark (March 4, 1936–April 7, 1968), a Scot who won the World Championship twice in 1963 and 1965.

Clark's racing career began in 1960, primarily with the Lotus team. He was killed in a Formula Two racing accident at Hockenheim, Germany, in 1968.

By the time of his death at the age of 32, Jim Clark had won a total of 25 Grand Prix and started 33 times on pole position, more than any other driver before him.

In 2009, he was ranked number one in the list of the world's greatest Formula One drivers by the British newspaper The Times.

2014 marks the 44th year of the Jim Clark Rally. The three-day event takes place in racing legend Clark’s hometown in the Scottish Borders./.

According to VNA