A teenage driver and his co-driver were killed in a rally sprint crash in New Zealand. The two people who died have been named: Brooklyn Horan, 15, and Tyson Jemmett, 35. Their car plunged into a river while they were racing in the Arcadia Road Rallysprint in Paparoa. A police officer said the car veered off the gravel road and plunged into a flooded river. The pair were pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. MotorSport New Zealand confirmed Horan was behind the wheel of the car when the crash occurred. In New Zealand, people are not allowed to obtain a driver’s license until they are 16, but younger drivers can compete in competitions under certain circumstances. The MotorSport New Zealand website states of the junior driver program: “People aged 12 to 16 can obtain a competition license.”
It is common for young drivers to compete in these competitions, MotorSport said. Nevertheless, the organisation announced a full investigation. “The event took place on the Arcadia Road in Paparoa, which was closed to public traffic for the duration of the event under the approval of the local roads authority,” MotorSport said in a statement. “It is too early in the investigation to say what the main causes of the accident were. However, it does not appear that the road was in a poor or unsafe condition.” Motorsport New Zealand President Wayne Christie said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these two competitors and everyone associated with the Arcadia Road Rallysprint.” “It is only natural that this terrible tragedy will shock and devastate everyone in motorsport.” “We will be offering support to all those involved in the coming days.”
Numerous tributes to the pair have been posted on social media. World Rally Championship winner Hyden Paddon expressed his sadness on X over the accident, which claimed two lives. He said: “It is so sad that two great people were taken from us far too soon yesterday.” “Brooklyn Horan was one of rally’s most exciting young talents and she was destined to achieve great things. Tyson, on the other hand, was a massive rally fan and a family man.” “Your career may have only just begun but you have already made a lasting impression.” The company said: “On behalf of the team at Winger Motorsport, we send our condolences to the friends and families of Brooklyn Horan and her co-driver Tyson.” 1Eighty Racing also said: “Such a natural talent! We will miss you on the track and our thoughts are with your family.”
“It is with a very heavy heart that we heard the absolutely devastating news that Brooklyn lost her life doing what we loved as a family,” Hodgson Motorsport wrote. “It’s times like these that make you realise that the sport we’ve chosen comes with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.” “Brooklyn, you were a wonderful, kind, happy child and that was no different years later when we met again last year off-roading. Your mischievous smile was the same, just a little bit bigger.” Jemmett’s wife, Lucy, is expecting their first child and will miss him very much. People who used to work with him have set up a fundraiser to help his wife and unborn daughter.
