Gumball Rally Cancelled

Sudesh · #1 05-03-2007, 06:10 PM

Issued by Maximillion Cooper on behalf of The Gumball 3000 Rally - 21.30 / 03 May 2007

Following our earlier release reporting yesterday’s accident - 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, May 3rd 2007.

As the organisers of the rally we feel that it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one the participating drivers.

We are very saddened by what has happened and feel that it would be wrong to continue. On behalf of Gumball 3000, we once again extend our deepest sympathies to his family and we are doing everything we can for them.

This is the first time anything like this has happened in 9 years of travelling through over 40 countries with 1000's of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement.

Maximillion Cooper
Founder & CEO
The Gumball 3000 Group

Sudesh · #2 05-03-2007, 06:21 PM

This is the story that SKY News released:

Two British men have been arrested after a fatal hit and run accident during the Gumball Rally. An elderly driver was killed and his wife critically injured after their vehicle was hit by a car taking part in the event.
The Britons have been named as Nicholas Morley, 30, and 32-year-old Matthew McConvile. They were driving a Porsche 911. They are being held in the town of Struga, about 125 miles southwest of the Macedonian capital Skopje. Police say they were detained at border crossing with Albania.
A spokesman said: "Two British citizens left the scene of accident.
"Shortly afterward, border authorities found them in another (car) ... at the Qafasan border crossing. "They were arrested on charges of endangering traffic and abandoning an accident victim." The police spokesman said the offences carry a maximum one-year prison sentence.