Former rally champion Donald Milne killed in plane crash in Spain

A former rally champion has died after a light aircraft crash in Spain.

Donald Milne, 65, was in a biplane which reportedly collided with a firefighting helicopter as they both neared landing at an airfield near Alicante on December 30.

He was found seriously injured and rushed to hospital but later died.

No-one else was injured in the incident, which is being examined by air crash investigators.

Mr Milne was a former North Sea businessman with a keen interest in rallying and won the Scottish title in 1991.

He is said to have lived in Spain with his wife for the last 20 years.

The Scottish Rally Championship posted a picture of Mr Milne on its website celebrating his title win along with the message: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the sudden passing of 1991 Scottish rally champion Donald Milne.

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Quintin, Freddie and family.”

Mr Milne is also said to have helped launch the career of Colin McRae, who became the youngest-ever winner of the World Rally Championship.

He died in a helicopter crash with three other people near his home in Lanark in 2007.

Motorsport journalist John Fife paid tribute to Mr Milne in his blog and wrote: “Even when he had ‘retired’ from rallying he still retained an interest and there were times here at home when the phone would ring late at night or in the early hours, and it was Donald looking for the latest gossip and who was doing what.

“Invariably he was sitting kicking his heels in some exotic airport waiting for connecting business flights.

“I’m sure we’d all like to express our sincere condolences to his wife Fiona, the boys Quintin and Freddie, and their relatives and wide circle of friends. He’ll be sorely missed.”