A 15-year-old boy killed while watching the Donegal International Rally has been named as Tadhg Callaghan Carter, after the event was cancelled following a crash that also left two other spectators injured.
The incident occurred on the Gartan stage of the rally at Trentagh, near Kilmacrennan, on Saturday. Irish police, the Gardaí, said they and other emergency services were alerted after a number of onlookers were injured “in an incident involving a participating car.” It is understood the crash happened when a competing car left the road at a left-hand bend. Carter was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead. Two other spectators are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Motorsport Ireland and Donegal Motorclub confirmed the remainder of the three-day event had been cancelled “as a mark of respect” following the death. In a statement, organisers said they were “deeply saddened” by what had happened, adding: “Our deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased and ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”
Motorsport Ireland and the Gardaí confirmed a “full investigation into the circumstances of the accident” had begun. They also said they were aware of video footage of the crash circulating on social media and asked members of the public not to share it.
The Donegal International Rally is billed by organisers as “one of the toughest rally challenges there is for drivers and teams,” typically attracting more than 70,000 spectators in person alongside an estimated 400,000 viewers watching on television and online. Competitors take on 20 stages spread across the north-west coast of the county during the event.
