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| 'No blame' urged over rally death | 'No blame' urged over rally death |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| The family of a spectator who died after being hit by a rally car say no blame should be attached to the driver. | The family of a spectator who died after being hit by a rally car say no blame should be attached to the driver. |
| The collision happened at the Harry Flatters Rally 09 event on Sunday morning in the area around Dixies Corner near Sennybridge in Powys. | The collision happened at the Harry Flatters Rally 09 event on Sunday morning in the area around Dixies Corner near Sennybridge in Powys. |
| Motor sport fan John Phillips, 69, from Llandudno, Conwy, suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital. | Motor sport fan John Phillips, 69, from Llandudno, Conwy, suffered serious head injuries and died later in hospital. |
| "John loved motor sport - it was his lifelong hobby. He knew the risks involved," said his family. | "John loved motor sport - it was his lifelong hobby. He knew the risks involved," said his family. |
| He had been airlifted to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales after the incident at around 1027 BST. | He had been airlifted to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales after the incident at around 1027 BST. |
| Police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch | Police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch |
| Police said the driver of the car also lost consciousness but came around at the scene. He was later taken to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil but was not believed to have had life-threatening injuries. | |
| Mr Phillips' family added in a statement: "This was a very unfortunate accident and the family strongly feel that no blame should be attached to the rally driver involved." | Mr Phillips' family added in a statement: "This was a very unfortunate accident and the family strongly feel that no blame should be attached to the rally driver involved." |
| They expressed gratitude to the emergency services and medical staff who tried to save Mr Phillips' life. | They expressed gratitude to the emergency services and medical staff who tried to save Mr Phillips' life. |
| Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the crash scene, at Dixies Corner at Mynydd Epynt, in the Sennybridge military training area. | |
| Inspector Diane Davies said Mr Phillips had been watching the rally with his family. | Inspector Diane Davies said Mr Phillips had been watching the rally with his family. |
| Insp Davies said: "What we think has happened is the car came over the brow of a hill, the driver lost control of the vehicle. | Insp Davies said: "What we think has happened is the car came over the brow of a hill, the driver lost control of the vehicle. |
| "He crossed some marshland, somersaulted and sadly collided with a spectator." | "He crossed some marshland, somersaulted and sadly collided with a spectator." |
| Ashley Trimble, the co-driver for Welsh rally driver Christopher Jones, told BBC Wales the pair had been through Dixies Corner prior to the collision. | Ashley Trimble, the co-driver for Welsh rally driver Christopher Jones, told BBC Wales the pair had been through Dixies Corner prior to the collision. |
| "This particular hazard is notorious. It's pretty famous. It's well-noted as far as the co-drivers go. That's a big caution for us guys," he said. | "This particular hazard is notorious. It's pretty famous. It's well-noted as far as the co-drivers go. That's a big caution for us guys," he said. |
| "We don't like to lose competitors' or spectators' lives....but the element of risk is always there." | "We don't like to lose competitors' or spectators' lives....but the element of risk is always there." |
| Rally commentator Greg Strange said: "Motor sport is dangerous per se and the danger is part of the excitement. | Rally commentator Greg Strange said: "Motor sport is dangerous per se and the danger is part of the excitement. |
| "There is marshalling to make sure the risk is minimised and that's why the safety record is so good. | "There is marshalling to make sure the risk is minimised and that's why the safety record is so good. |
| "Millions of people go out to watch rally each year around the world and do so safely. | "Millions of people go out to watch rally each year around the world and do so safely. |
| "There is danger, yes, but each stage is inspected for spectator safety an hour before the stage is run, and immediately prior to it with the safety cars running through each stage." | "There is danger, yes, but each stage is inspected for spectator safety an hour before the stage is run, and immediately prior to it with the safety cars running through each stage." |
| In a statement the Brecon Motor Club, which oversees the rally event, said: "It is with regret that Brecon Motor Club reports the tragic death of a spectator on Sunday the 2nd of August during the running of the Harry Flatters Rally on the private roads of Mynydd Epynt. | In a statement the Brecon Motor Club, which oversees the rally event, said: "It is with regret that Brecon Motor Club reports the tragic death of a spectator on Sunday the 2nd of August during the running of the Harry Flatters Rally on the private roads of Mynydd Epynt. |
| "All the relevant authorities have been informed and inquiries into the accident are ongoing." | "All the relevant authorities have been informed and inquiries into the accident are ongoing." |
| Police have appealed to witnesses who may have seen or filmed the incident to contact them. | Police have appealed to witnesses who may have seen or filmed the incident to contact them. |
| Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact police. Those who live in Wales are asked to ring 101 and people in England should call 08453 302000. | Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact police. Those who live in Wales are asked to ring 101 and people in England should call 08453 302000. |