10.11, Fri May 4 2007

The Gumball 3000 car rally has been scrapped after two competitors were involved in a fatal road accident.

Two British men are being questioned after the crash in Macedonia which killed 67-year-old local man Vladimir Cepulyoski.

The Foreign Office said Nicholas Morley and Matthew McConville were taking part in the rally when they hit Mr Cepulyoski's car.

Macedonian police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said the Britons would testify before an investigative magistrate before a decision would be made on whether to hold them in custody.

"Two British citizens left the scene of the accident. Shortly afterwards, border authorities found them in another vehicle at the Qafasan border crossing with Albania," he said.

The Gumball 3000 has been a draw for the rich and famous for almost a decade, speeding through Europe in high powered sports cars by day and enjoying lavish parties by night.

It is believed the two men waited at the scene until ambulance crews arrived to help the driver of the second car, before rejoining the race towards the Albanian border.

It is thought the men reported the accident to police when they arrived at the border, and were asked to give statements.

But it is believed that as they returned to the border to continue their trip they were told the other person involved had died and were taken back to a nearby police station, where Mr Morley was held.

Rally organisers announced the event had been called off in Bratislava a day early following the accident.

Gumball founder Maximillion Cooper said: "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.

"As the organisers of the rally we feel that it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died after an accident involving one of 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 nine years of travelling through over 40 countries with thousands of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that two Britons have been involved in a road traffic accident. We have been in contact and are providing appropriate assistance."

ITV.com