Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper is reporting that Colin McRae was killed in a crash of the former World Rally Champion’s helicopter, and his five year-old son is also feared dead in the crash. The helicopter came down in Jerviswood, Lanarkshire, half a mile from the family's home and burst into flames just after 4 p.m.

Jean-Eric Freudiger, McRae's agent, told The Times that the 39-year-old driver had been piloting the helicopter himself. Also on board were believed to be his son Johnny, another adult and another child. Police said there were no survivors.

McRae's wife Alison and their daughter Hollie, 9, were not on board, friends said.

A spokeswoman for the Strathclyde police confirmed to autosport.com that the crash is under investigation, but declined to confirm how many people were on board or that the helicopter belongs to McRae.