Colin McRae's widow tells of her daily struggle after helicopter crash

THE widow of champion rally driver Colin McRae has been left "shattered" by the crash that killed her husband and five-year-old son Johnny, a court has heard.

Alison McRae said she and her 12-year-old daughter Holly face a daily struggle to deal with the tragedy that saw McRae and his passengers perish.

A fatal accident inquiry into the crash yesterday heard a sworn statement given by Mrs McRae which told how she had been "strongly" opposed to the inquiry taking place and that she had always felt comfortable flying with her husband in his aircraft.

Mrs McRae, 42, said: "I was attending a horse event on the day of the accident. Colin had agreed to look after Johnny and Ben. Colin loved his family and loved spending time with Johnny.

"Colin had no plans to go up in the helicopter when I left, but obviously that changed when he had business to attend to.

"He would never deny anyone the chance to go up in the helicopter for a flight around the local area.

"My daughter and I struggle each day with the loss of Colin and Johnny. Our lives are shattered. I strongly oppose the decision to hold a fatal accident inquiry. I don't think it will change anything and it certainly won't bring Colin and Johnny back. If anything it will only open up deep and painful wounds for myself and Holly.

"But now it is here, I would like it to be known that I would like to see all private helicopters fitted with a flight recorder."

Mrs McRae's statement was read out at the inquiry into the crash which claimed the lives of McRae, his son Johnny and family friends Ben Porcelli, six, and Graeme Duncan, 37.

The helicopter crashed near 39-year-old McRae's Jerviswood home just outside Lanark in September 2007.

The hearing at Lanark Sheriff Court also heard claims from Mrs McRae that her husband had a "flair" for flying and that he was "methodical" in his care of the Eurocopter Squirrel aircraft.

She said: "Colin decided to learn to fly helicopters in 1999 and went to Majorca, where he undertook an intensive training course. Colin had flown all over the UK, France, Ireland and Switzerland. He used the helicopter like many people use their cars to attend personal and business engagements.

"He never flew when the weather conditions were unsuitable. He had a series of pre-flight checks which he would carry out and he did these very conscientiously.

"He was methodical about the maintenance and the cleaning of the helicopter.

"In my opinion, Colin had a natural flair for flying and had a great deal of respect for the helicopter.

"I never saw him showing off. I am not a particularly good helicopter passenger, but I always felt comfortable with Colin."

The hearings later heard a statement from Jennifer Duncan, the widow of Mr Duncan.

She said: "Graeme was my soul mate, my best friend and the love of my life.He was strong reliable hard working and dependable. My time with him and our son is etched in my heart forever."

The inquiry, before Sheriff Nikola Stewart, was adjourned until Thursday.