Co-driver, 39, dies following crash at Jim Clark Rally
Last updated 24th May 2025
A 39-year-old man has died in a crash while competing in the Jim Clark Rally.
He's been named by Motorsport UK as Welshman Dai Roberts.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised, but Roberts - a co-driver in the race - could not be saved.
His driver, 27-year-old James Williams, has been taken to hospital with what's being described as "serious, but not life-threatening, injuries".
The tragedy unfolded on narrow single track roads near Duns, in the Scottish Borders, shortly before 11am this morning (Saturday).
Police say their "thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video report...
The rally - which is named after the late Formula One legend, who lived locally and this year doubled as round three of the British Rally Championship - has since been cancelled, along with the Reivers Rally, which was due to follow on Sunday.
Roberts' younger brother Gareth died, aged 24, after a racing accident in Palermo, Italy, in 2012.
Superintendent Vincent Fisher, of Police Scotland, said: “The D41/6 Edrom Mains road is closed at Broomhouse Mains near Edrom, following a one vehicle crash that happened around 10.50am on Saturday.
“Emergency services are in attendance and road users are asked to avoid the area."
More than a hundred cars and drivers from all over the country were due to take part in each of the annual closed-roads events, and many more people had lined the route to show their support.
But, after a sun-kissed start on Friday, locals report the roads being "very slippy" after rain overnight.
A statement issued by the organisers said: “Following an incident at the Jim Clark Rally today, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club have made the decision to cancel the remainder of the event and tomorrow’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally.”
It's not the first time the race has been stopped.
In 2022, a farmer forced the cancellation of a stage after blocking the road with a tractor.
That was the first year it had been run in full since three spectators were killed in 2014.
And, in 2023, a stage was halted during Sunday's Reivers Rally after repeated requests by safety marshals for spectators to stay off the closed roads were ignored.
A spokesperson said: "Motorsport UK is deeply saddened to announce that co-driver Dai Roberts lost his life in an incident at the Jim Clark Rally.
"Driver James Williams was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
"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 cooperate with the relevant authorities."
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/