Belgian rally driver Bruno Blaise killed in crash at Rallye des Crêtes

Belgian rally driver Bruno Blaise was killed on Sunday in an accident at the Rallye des Crêtes, near the Belgian town of Malmedy. As a result, the rally has been called off. "The emergency services were at the scene very quickly, but unfortunately Bruno Blaise died from his injuries," the organisers reported. The fatal accident comes mere weeks after two spectators were killed in an accident at the Belgian Condroz Rally in Liège.

Blaise and his co-driver Geoffrey Razzi went off the track during the third and final special stage. "The pilot lost control of the car on a bend and crashed into a facade," explained the mayor of Malmedy Jean-Paul Bastin. "The pilot died on the spot. His co-pilot was taken to the hospital by helicopter. He is injured but is reportedly not in mortal danger. For our city, this is a double blow. This rally is normally always a big celebration, but after this 27th edition, we are in mourning. Moreover, Bruno Blaise was driving here for his people. He had a coachbuilding business in the borough of Ligneuville and was very well known in Malmedy. He won the Rallye des Crêtes a couple of times."

The fatal accident comes mere weeks after two spectators were killed in an accident at the Condroz Rally in Liège, Belgium. On 6 November, a car slid off the track and collided with the crowd at the Liège rally, killing two spectators aged 16 and 18 and injuring two others.

(KOR)

^{Photo for illustration only © BELGA PHOTO SANDRO DELAERE}