AN East Lancashire driver who took part in the fatal Apex Cheviot Rally has appealed for calm following the tragic accident.

Alan Douglas, who was still on the start line when the crash occurred, believes the authorities should not overreact to the death of 11-year-old Marc Taylor.

And he revealed that he had stood in exactly the same place on the Otterburn military range to watch last year's event - with his nine year old daughter.

"I believe it was just a freak accident that no-one could have foreseen," said Mr Douglas, 49, who lives in Padiham.

"The spectators were stood on the inside of a corner, on top of a banking and well back from the road. It's where anyone with any knowledge of motorsport would stand to be safe.

"I know that because I went spectating in very same spot myself last year with my young daughter, and we felt perfectly secure."

The accident occurred when a Vauxhall Nova, running near the back of the field at number 67, appeared to run out of control on the approach to the corner and 'barrel-rolled' towards the spectators, before launching into the air and landing on the schoolboy and his family.

As the emergency services arrived on the scene, several drivers, including Mr Douglas, were still waiting on the startline for the first stage. "When we saw the air ambulance fly over us, it was obvious that something serious had happened," he explained.

"When news filtered through of the tragedy, we were all sent back to the service area to await further instructions. After an hour or so, the championship co-ordinator informed everyone of the accident, and the organisers decided to cancel the event immediately.

"Everyone was numb with shock. All we wanted to do was pack up and go home.

"Ironically, the driver who was involved was running in the same class as me, so I had been to have a chat with him before it started.

"We only talked about rallying, and although he seemed a bit nervous, that was probably the tension everyone feels just before a rally."

As well as a Police investigation into the accident, the sport's governing body, the Motor Sports Association, has launched its own inquiry.

And that has lead to fears by competitors of a 'knee-jerk' reaction by authorities.

"The last time anyone can remember anything like this happening was back in 1976, when a spectator was fatally injured during the RAC Rally," said Mr Douglas. "It would be big blow to the sport if sweeping changes were made. I think everyone is waiting to see how the Ministry of Defence, who own Otterburn, react to Sunday's events.

"If they decide they no longer want motorsport on their roads, then not only will we lose Otterburn, but also the Epynt ranges in Mid-Wales. Should that happen, then the Safety Devices championship will be wiped out, and rallying would lose two of it best venues."

But Mr Douglas, who was contesting the series for the first time in his GTM kit car has vowed to continue in the championship - an opinion echoed by fellow competitor Lee Sharples.

Seeded at car number 35, Darwen-based Mr Sharples had already gone through the first stage when the tragedy occurred.

"Like everyone involved, I still feel shocked by what happened, partly because incidents like these are so rare," he said. "But whatever decisions are made by the authorities, there's no doubt that the spotlight is on us now.

"Safety is a priority with competitors and organisers alike, and I'm sure everyone will be working hard to ensure that.

"I'm still 100% committed to the championship, and I hope that we will all be allowed to make a fresh start on the next round in April."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.