BYRAY SANDERSON

The tragic death of top rally driver Colin McRae has shocked the rallying world in Fermanagh, particularly rally enthusiast Austin Frazer.

The rally ace's death in a helicopter crash was similar to that of Bertie Fisher in 2001.

Both rally kingpins died in helicopter crashes alongside family members and close to their homes.

Austin Frazer was a friend of the McRae family and was Bertie Fisher's co-driver. He was stunned at the news of the helicopter crash at the weekend and the similarities of the two accidents.

Former world champion McRae died when his privately owned Twin Squirrel helicopter crashed at the grounds of his country home in Lanark, Scotland on Saturday.

His five year old son, Johnny, another child Ben Porcelli aged six, and family friend Greme Duncan (37) also lost their lives.

They had been returning home after a trip to the nearby village of Quarter when the aircraft got into difficulty, said Police.

Austin Frazer said this week he was shocked at the news.

"It is so bizarre the similarities between the two crashes, family involved and close to home, it is just stunning," he said.

"It is unreal, almost like a terrible replay of what happened just over five and a half years ago. It is very sad to think that Colin, who was such a hard driver and had survived so many horrendous accidents over his career, had his life ended like this,' he added.

The Fisher family was also not far from their home in Ballinamallard when their helicopter got into trouble and burst into flames near Monea.

In that crash Bertie and his son and daughter Mark and Emma were killed. His wife Gladys and another son Roy survived.

Their families were also linked by their rallying interests with Colin McRae's father Jimmy having rallied in a team with Mr Fisher during the British Championship in the 1980s.