In New Zealand, a tragic crash during a rally event claimed the lives of a high school driver and his co-driver.
Young competitor Brooklyn Horan and 35-year-old Tyson Jemmett were the two victims of the accident.
The incident occurred when Horan and Jemmett’s vehicle veered off a gravel road and into a flooded stream during the Shangri-La Street Rallysprint in Paparoa, while they were racing, according to police reports. Emergency responders pronounced both individuals dead at the scene.
MotorSport New Zealand confirmed that Brooklyn Horan was driving the car at the time of the crash.
Although drivers in New Zealand cannot obtain a license until age 16, younger drivers are allowed to compete under certain conditions. According to MotorSport New Zealand’s website, the junior driver program “allows individuals aged 12 to 16 to hold a competition license.”
The organization stated that young drivers often participate in these types of competitions and emphasized that a full investigation into the crash will be conducted.
“The event took place on Shangri-La Street in Paparoa, which was closed to the public during the rally under the authority of the local Street Controlling Authority,” MotorSport said in a statement.
“It is too early in the investigation to comment on the contributing factors, but the road does not appear to have been in a hazardous or dangerous condition.”
Wayne Christie, CEO of MotorSport New Zealand, said, “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these two competitors and everyone involved in the Shangri-La Street Rallysprint. This tragic loss will shock and sadden the entire motorsports community. We will provide support to all those affected in the coming days.”
Many have taken to social media to honor Horan and Jemmett. After hearing the news of the two fatalities, World Rally Champion Hayden Paddon expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter):
“What a tragic event yesterday. Two wonderful people were taken far too soon. Tyson was a devoted motorsport fan and family man, and Brooklyn Horan was one of the most promising young rally stars with a bright future ahead. Your career may have just begun, but you had already made a meaningful impact.”
Winger Motorsport added, “On behalf of everyone at Winger Motorsport, we send our heartfelt sympathies to the families of Brooklyn Horan and his co-driver, Tyson.”
1Eighty Racing wrote, “Such natural talent! Your family is in our thoughts, and you will be fondly remembered on the track.”
Hodgson Motorsport said, “It is with crushing sadness that we learned Brooklyn passed away while doing the very thing our families cherished together. Events like these remind us that the sport we love comes with the highest highs and the lowest lows. Brooklyn, you were a kind, loving, and joyful young man. Even years later, your mischievous grin would light up the room whenever we met at rallies.”
Brooklyn’s partner, Lucy, is pregnant with their first child and will deeply feel his absence. Some of his former colleagues have launched a fundraising campaign to support Lucy and their unborn child.