Two killed after car crashes into spectators at rally event

A MAN and a woman have been killed after a rally car crashed into spectators.

Seven others, including the driver and co-driver taking part in the Cavan Stages Rally, were also injured during the accident in Co Cavan, Ireland.

Gardai said the victims, a man in his 40s and woman in her 30s, died at the scene. It is believed the man was a photographer.

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A competing Ford Escort is thought to have lost control as it went over a bump and then crashed into a fence outside a house, where spectators were standing.

The accident happened at about 11.10am about a mile outside Bailieboro.

Witness Matthew McMahon said he saw the car go over the crest of a road before he heard a skidding sound.

“I don’t know if something broke on the car or if he just lost control,” he told RTE radio’s This Week.

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“Then I just heard people screaming and people shouting ‘red flag, red flag, stop the stage’.

“Then all hell broke loose basically, with people crying, people white as ghosts as if something serious had happened.

“And then someone mentioned ‘somebody’s been killed’, and we found out how serious it was.”

More than 100 cars were competing in the event, which had attracted thousands of spectators.

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Gardai and Motorsport Ireland, which governs the sport, have launched investigations.

The road and car are being forensically examined by collision investigators.

Cavan Motor Club said the accident happened on stage one of the special stages rally.

“At this time all our energy is focused on the families of those involved in this tragic accident,” it said.

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“The relevant authorities were immediately advised of the incident and the rally rescue services attended the scene.

“An investigation has begun into all facts surrounding the accident.”

Local resident, Coun Niamh Smyth, said the accident was devastating for the community.

“We have lost a lot of young lives in Bailieboro in the last 12 months, and this tragedy puts a huge darkness over the community again,” she said.

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The tragedy also follows others which have devastated the sport in recent years.

Teenage rally fan Richard O’Donnell, from Strabane, was killed as he tried to cross a country road during the Donegal International Rally in 2008.

The 18-year-old was struck by a competing Ford Fiesta on the eleventh stage of the competition, which is one of the biggest sporting events in the country.

Two years ago, co-driver Thomas Maguire died in a crash in the Donegal rally, and in 2002 two stewards were also killed in the event.