Rally crash driver dies

A talented Midlands amateur rally driver was killed when his car careered off a road and collided with a tree during a race in a forest.

It is thought David Williamson, from Penkridge, died instantly in the accident during the Wyedean Forest Rally in the Forest of Dean at lunchtime on Saturday.

The 32-year-old's devastated parents Fred and Sue Williamson said their only son was passionate about motorsport and devoted to wife Sian, who he married four years ago, and daughter Ella who turns two next month.

Mr Williamson, who won the Peugeot 205 class at the Bulldog Rally in Shropshire last year, was a member of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club for around 10 years.

The car club, which meets at The Pigot Arms pub in Pattingham every Wednesday, has opened a memorial book on its website which has been signed by more than 60 people.

Mr Williamson's co-driver Mark Freeman, who lives in Brewood, escaped the accident uninjured and went to visit his friend's parents at their home in Francis Close, Penkridge, yesterday.

Sue Williamson, aged 54, Mr Williamson's mother, said: "Absolutely everybody loved David. He was a genuine, lovely lad."

His father Fred, aged 54, added: "He was fun-loving, had so many close friends. He worked with me and I wasn't just his dad, he was my best friend."

Mr Williamson, a former pupil of Wolgarston High School in Penkridge, had worked at family business MMS Recovery Ltd, a breakdown and recovery service on Wolverhampton's Dunstall Hill Trading Estate, for around four years.

Witnesses, particularly people who captured what happened on video, should call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234.

By Michelle Pearson

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