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Organisers of the Gumball 3000 Rally cut the race short last night following a fatal traffic accident involving two British drivers.
The Foreign Office said Nicholas Morley and Matthew McConville were taking part in the annual race when they hit another car in Macedonia yesterday. Authorities there said Vladimir Cepulyoski, 67, from Macedonia, died in hospital from a heart attack after the crash. He had not been involved in the race.
Rally organisers announced last night that the event had been called off in Bratislava, Slovakia, a day early following the accident.
Maximillion Cooper, the founder of the rally, said in a statement: "As a sign of respect, we have decided that this year's Gumball 3000 Rally will not travel any further and will end in Bratislava this evening.
"As the organisers of the rally, we feel it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one of the participating drivers.
"On behalf of Gumball 3000, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family. This is the first time anything like this has happened in nine years of travelling through over 40 countries with thousands of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement."
The rally, which has attracted a lot of celebrity interest in the past decade, was due to end in London today.
A spokeswoman for the event said police in Macedonia were continuing to question the two Britons.
The Foreign Office said Nicholas Morley and Matthew McConville were taking part in the annual race when they hit another car in Macedonia yesterday. Authorities there said Vladimir Cepulyoski, 67, from Macedonia, died in hospital from a heart attack after the crash. He had not been involved in the race.
Rally organisers announced last night that the event had been called off in Bratislava, Slovakia, a day early following the accident.
Maximillion Cooper, the founder of the rally, said in a statement: "As a sign of respect, we have decided that this year's Gumball 3000 Rally will not travel any further and will end in Bratislava this evening.
"As the organisers of the rally, we feel it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one of the participating drivers.
"On behalf of Gumball 3000, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family. This is the first time anything like this has happened in nine years of travelling through over 40 countries with thousands of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement."
The rally, which has attracted a lot of celebrity interest in the past decade, was due to end in London today.
A spokeswoman for the event said police in Macedonia were continuing to question the two Britons.
