
Welsh rally driver killed in crash 13 years after his brother died in a racing accident
Driver James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders. The event is named after Formula One champion Jim Clark.
It is a double tragedy for the family after Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 in a racing accident in Palermo, Italy, in 2012.
At the time Dai was beginning his career as a co-driver. He encouraged his followers to donate to his brother's memorial fund which helps injured drivers.
Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Dai also narrowly avoided death in 2014 when he was airlifted to hospital following a crash at a race in Northern Ireland that killed driver Timothy Cathcart. He made a full recovery and returned to the sport.
In 2014 the Jim Clark Rally was halted after the deaths of three people and was cancelled the following year.
It has since been reinstated in the UK racing calendar.
Superintendent Vincent Fisher of Police Scotland said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
Paying tribute Motorsport UK said: "Motorsport UK sends its condolences to Dai's family and friends, the Jim Clark Rally, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and members of the motorsport community.
"Motorsport UK has initiated a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident and will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities."
The Jim Clark Rally is named after Formula One champion, Jim Clark who grew up in the Scottish Borders.
It is round of the Probite British Rally Championship, Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship and Protyre National Asphalt Championship.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


ITV News
13 minutes ago
- ITV News
Wales striker Kayleigh Barton to retire from football
Cymru's Kayleigh Barton has announced her retirement from football at the age of 37. The Charlton Athletic striker, who has scored 22 goals for Wales, was part of the squad at this year's UEFA's Women's Euros in Switzerland. With 89 caps, Barton is now to take on the role of Cymru's Women's under 17s Assistant Coach for FAW. In a statement, Barton said: "Ever since a young age, I've always loved football. From playing in the garden with my younger brothers, having the first letter for my Cymru age group call up, to representing the senior team at our first ever major finals. "I've had a phenomenal football career both representing my country and at club level, and it's something that I'm so proud of." Barton, from Cardiff, began her career at the city's club in 2012 before moving onto Yeovil Town in 2016, where she spent time on loan to Chieti Calcio Femminile. She then moved on to play for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018, before joining Charlton Athletic in 2023. Barton added: "To my friends and family... I can't thank you enough for always supporting me throughout my football career. To the two people who have been there from the very beginning: you've travelled the country to watch me play, and even now, you continue to support every decision I make. Thank you – from the bottom of my heart. "What a journey it's been. I've experienced incredible highs and tough lows, but those moments are what made this path so special. Barton also thanked Welsh fans: "Throughout my career the Red Wall have always supported us, and you have all been phenomenal. When you travel away with us, we can hear the noise. "Please make sure you continue to support the team through thick and thin, and I will be in the stands with you doing the same." She concluded: "In football, you fight and go through it for so many years. There are so many highs, so many lows, but to finally achieve something that you've always want to do as a young girl and represent your country on the world stage. It means everything. "I'll definitely miss you all, but I think now is the time to say goodbye. Diolch am bopeth."


Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Community 'deeply saddened' after Welsh school teacher dies in horse fall
Community 'deeply saddened' after Welsh school teacher dies in horse fall Tribute have poured in for Sarah Yorke after she died in a fall during an horse riding event on Friday Sarah Yorke has died at the age of 37 (Image: Instagram/allegros_adventures) Tributes have been paid to a 'much-loved and highly respected' Welsh teacher who has died in a tragic horse riding accident. Sarah Yorke, who was 37, was taking part in the cross country stage of the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials in Daventry, Northamptonshire, on Friday, August 8. She was riding her horse MGH Hera when she fell at the third fence. Medical professionals attended the scene but, according to British Eventing, the governing body for eventing in the UK, 'tragically, she could not be saved'. Ms Yorke, mother to a seven-year-old daughter, hailed from Powys and had worked as a 'well-respected teacher' at Berriew Primary School near Welshpool. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Tributes have flooded in following the death. Anwen Orrels, head of school improvement and learning at Powys County Council, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our former colleague Sarah Yorke. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time. 'Sarah had been a popular and well-respected teacher at Berriew Primary School before taking up a new position with the Shropshire Hills Federation, working at two primary schools in south Shropshire.' Andy Hall, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children and education, said: 'We were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Sarah, a much-loved and highly respected teacher who will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with her – and all who were lucky enough to be taught by her over the years. 'Sarah taught at Chirbury Primary for several years before taking up a new post at Berriew Primary School. She then returned to Shropshire to teach at Norbury Primary and was a valued member of the team. 'Our thoughts are with Sarah's family and friends, and with all the staff and pupils at Norbury, Chirbury and Stiperstones - the schools within the Shropshire Hills Federation. We are supporting the head teacher at this incredibly difficult time.' Other tributes paid on social media reflect the high regard the teacher was held in by those who knew her. One former pupil of hers said: 'To my old primary school teacher Sarah Yorke, who was taken from us at the age of 37, I will miss you so dearly. My love to all of her family and close friends.' One woman said: 'I was lucky enough to know Sarah a little, having taught her a few times over the last few years. She always radiated positivity and enthusiasm for the job in hand and her horses, and gave the impression of juggling a very busy life with determination and grace. I'm so sad for her family and friends, and everyone who is mourning her loss.' Torfaen Riding Club paid their own tribute, saying: 'As a club and riders ourselves with friends and members that have had accidents, we all know how easily it happens, but to lose your life is truly devastating for our whole community. Article continues below 'We are truly heartbroken and as a club sending our most sincere heartfelt condolences to the family.' Following the death, Rosie Williams, chief executive of British Eventing, said: 'On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Sarah's family and friends. The thoughts of the entire eventing community are with them at this incredibly difficult time.'


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Wrexham owner wants to WIN the Premier League as fan concerns shared – 'Not laughing now'
Wrexham's Hollywood co-owners have disclosed their lofty aim to win the Premier League someday, while also stressing the need for the Welsh club to grow sustainably Rob McElhenney has revealed an audacious new goal for Wrexham to win the Premier League. The Welsh side have enjoyed unprecedented success under the co-ownership of the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator and fellow Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds. Since being bought by the two actors in February 2021, Wrexham have been propelled from the National League into the Championship after achieving three promotions in a row. The A-list pair have made it clear from day one that they want to take the Red Dragons all the way to the top flight. McElhenney, who recently filed to legally change his name to Rob Mac, has now said that their ambition stretches even further than that as they aim to one day lift the Premier League title. However, while the 48-year-old is eager to reach that target as soon as possible, he stressed in an interview with Welsh broadcaster S4C that it would need to be done in a sustainable manner. When asked whether he still thought Premier League status was achievable, McElhenney said: "That's the way the pyramid is set up and why not us? Why should that be reserved for other towns, for other cities? "It doesn't mean it's going to be easy and it doesn't mean that it's just going to happen quickly. It could take many, many years for it to happen. We're going to make a push to do it as quickly as possible, because we don't know any other way to do it, but we're going to do it the right way." While many fans might welcome the prospect of pushing for the top tier, McElhenney disclosed how some Wrexham supporters had expressed concerns to him. He said this was due to the impact it would have on their club, which has never played in the Premier League, and a lack of supporting infrastructure. Wrexham's home stadium, the Racecourse Ground, has a reduced capacity of around 10,000 this season while work to build a new stand takes place. Meanwhile, the club is still without a permanent training facility after previously losing ownership of its old base at Colliers Park near Wrexham. "We're going to do it [reach the Premier League] in the same way that we've been doing it from day one, which is asking the town," said McElhenney. "I sort of jumped the gun early on and just assumed that that's what the people of the town wanted for their club, and that that wasn't necessarily the case. "I had a lot of very long conversations with people that said, 'Well, we might not be ready for that. The town might not be ready for that and the club might not be ready for that.' "We have to make sure that we're always checking in with the community to make sure that this is what they want. It was a crazy pipe dream four or five years ago where we got laughed at by the media and by the world, but I don't think anybody's laughing anymore." He added: "We don't want to build something that's unsustainable. As glorious as it might be to be promoted to the Premier League, it would be equally as tragic to be relegated again, because that can very quickly create that spiral downwards. "Is the ultimate goal the Premier League? Yes, of course. Is it winning the Premier League? Yes, of course. But that actually isn't the number one goal. The number one goal is building something for the next generation and leaving something behind that is sustainable for the rest of its existence." Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.