Inquiry into tragic death of rally champion Colin McRae

A FATAL accident inquiry is to be held into the deaths of former world rally champion Colin McRae and three passengers in a helicopter crash.

A sheriff will investigate the circumstances behind the crash in 2007, which killed the 39-year-old, his five-year-old son Johnny and family friends Ben Porcelli, six, and Graeme Duncan, 37.

The helicopter hit trees and crashed in the grounds of Mr McRae's home at Jerviswood near Lanark as he flew it from a friend's farm on 15 September, 2007.

The inquiry is scheduled to begin at Lanark Sheriff Court on 1 November following a preliminary hearing on 4 October, the Crown Office said.

Footage from the fatal flight was captured on a camcorder by Mr Duncan, 37, and it is understood this will form part of the evidence shown in court.

The Crown Office announced the decision to hold an inquiry after the local procurator-fiscal examined a report by the Department for Transport's air accidents investigation branch (AAIB) into the crash.