First-ever joint FAI into rally deaths set to begin

The FAI within the Lothian and Borders Sheriffdom will consider the death of Joy Robson at the Snowman Rally in Inverness on 16 February 2013 and the deaths of John Leonard Stern, Elizabeth Allan and Iain John Provan at the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders on 31 May 2014.

The inquiry will examine the full circumstances surrounding the deaths and help to avoid such incidents happening in the future.

The two events hold similar questions in relation to spectator safety at rallies and the Lord Advocate confirmed last year that he considers that it is in the public interest that these issues be explored together.

Dozens of people are expected to give evidence over several weeks at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Andrew Henderson of Thompsons Solicitors, who is representing Mrs Robson’s family, told BBC News: “Joy’s family greatly welcome the beginning of the fatal accident inquiry which is the first to be held since new legislation was brought in to improve the FAI process.

“They want to finally know the full reasons behind Joy losing her life and to make sure that spectator safety at Scottish rallies can be improved to a level where no other family can suffer a bereavement in such an awful and needless way.”