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Three killed in collision at Scottish car rally Three killed in collision at Scottish car rally
(about 1 hour later)
Three people have been killed in a collision between a vehicle and spectators at the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders, police say. Two men and a woman have been killed in a collision between a vehicle and spectators at the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders, police have said.
The incident occurred at about 16:00 BST when a car taking part in the motor racing event came off the road.The incident occurred at about 16:00 BST when a car taking part in the motor racing event came off the road.
A fourth person was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and is reported to be in a critical condition. Another man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he is reported to be in a critical condition.
Another collision at the event, two hours previously, left five people injured, one of them seriously. An earlier collision at the event, at around 14:00 BST, left five people injured, one of them seriously.
Police Scotland said the rally had been cancelled with immediate effect after the second incident, which took place at Little Swinton, near Coldstream. It said investigations into both incidents were "ongoing". In a statement, the organisers of the event - which was the 44th running of the Jim Clark Rally - said they were "devastated".
Police investigation Police Scotland said the rally had been cancelled with immediate effect after the second incident, which took place at Little Swinton, near Coldstream.
In a statement, the organisers of the rally said they were "devastated" that three people had been killed while watching the event - the 44th running of the Jim Clark Rally. It said investigations into both incidents were "ongoing".
"Berwick and District Motor Club, Border Ecosse Car Club and the governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are co-operating fully with the police investigation," the statement read. 'Absolutely terrible'
"As with any serious incident on a motor sport event, the MSA will conduct its own thorough inquiry once the police investigation is concluded." One eyewitness, Tony Cowan, told the BBC how the car "lost control".
The incident happened during a special stage 16 and the remaining two stages of the rally were immediately abandoned, the organisers said. "It went sideways one way and then to the other side of the road and ploughed into four people.
Laura Bicker, BBC Scotland correspondent, said witnesses had since raised questions about areas of the course that spectators had been watching from. "It was terrible, absolutely terrible. I ran to help but there was little I could do. The air ambulance arrived after about three quarters of an hour. There were police cars and ambulances. It was chaos, just chaos," he said.
"Clearly that is something the organisers will be looking at and something the police will be investigating as part of their inquiries," she said.
One eyewitness, Tony Cowan, said: "It was just one car which lost control. It went sideways one way and then to the other side of the road and ploughed into four people.
"It was terrible, absolutely terrible. I ran to help but there was little I could do. The air ambulance arrived after about three quarters of an hour. There were police cars and ambulances. It was chaos, just chaos."
Another eyewitness wrote on Facebook: "Huge accident at rally. Not far from us. About 15 emergency vehicles here now and about 40 people stood working on the injured. Not good."Another eyewitness wrote on Facebook: "Huge accident at rally. Not far from us. About 15 emergency vehicles here now and about 40 people stood working on the injured. Not good."
Laura Bicker, BBC Scotland correspondent, said several witnesses had since contacted the BBC to say they were concerned about spectators standing in dangerous areas along the rally route.
"Clearly that is something the organisers will be looking at and something the police will be investigating as part of their inquiries," she said.
Supt Phil O'Kane, from Police Scotland, said four men and one woman were injured in the first crash - which happened at 14:05 BST - after a vehicle came off the road near Eccles.
He said one man remained in intensive care at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, while two men suffered fractures and were being treated at Borders General Hospital.
The two other patients have been discharged.
Supt O'Kane said the second crash happened at 16:07 BST, adding the force was co-ordinating a "multi-agency" investigation into both incidents.
"I'd like to offer my condolences from Police Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and the organisers of the Jim Clark Rally for the tragic circumstances that bring us here," he said.
'Dreadful news''Dreadful news'
The annual rally takes place over three days on closed roads in the Duns and Kelso areas of the Borders. Organisers of the event - the only closed road rally on mainland UK - said they were working with the police.
It is held in honour of the Scottish former Formula 1 champion, Jim Clark, who died in a motor racing accident in Hockenheim, Germany in 1968. "Berwick and District Motor Club, Border Ecosse Car Club and the governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), are co-operating fully with the police investigation," they said in a statement.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the tragedy was "desperately sad and difficult news". "As with any serious incident on a motor sport event, the MSA will conduct its own thorough inquiry once the police investigation is concluded."
"The government is in contact with Police Scotland and we await the outcome of their inquiries," he said. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond called the tragedy "desperately sad and difficult news".
"The Jim Clark Rally is a long-standing event of over 40 years. It is much loved in the Borders and by the rally driving community who I know will share in our sadness at what is a black day for the Borders and for Scotland." He added: "The Jim Clark Rally is a long-standing event of over 40 years. It is much loved in the Borders and by the rally driving community who I know will share in our sadness at what is a black day for the Borders and for Scotland."
John Lamont, a local MSP, said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families". Local MSP John Lamont said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families".
"I know that the rally organisers place considerable emphasis on the safety of the spectators and drivers but, with any event of this nature, there will always be an element of risk," he said. "I know the rally organisers place considerable emphasis on the safety of the spectators and drivers but, with any event of this nature, there will always be an element of risk," he said.
"I live just a few miles away from the scene of the accident and I know that everyone is shocked and saddened by this dreadful news.""I live just a few miles away from the scene of the accident and I know that everyone is shocked and saddened by this dreadful news."
The annual rally takes place over three days on closed roads in the Duns and Kelso areas of the Borders, attracting thousands of people from across the UK.
It is held in honour of Scottish former Formula 1 champion Jim Clark, who died in a 1968 motor racing accident in Germany.
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