News: Lewis Hamilton joins tributes to McLaren workers killed in car accident
Two men were on their lunch break when tragic accident occurred
LEWIS HAMILTON has paid tribute to two former colleagues who were killed in a car crash yesterday (Wednesday).
The men, Ollie Bourton (22) and Darren Hayes (19), were engineers working in McLaren’s production car department at its headquarters in Woking, Surrey. They were killed instantly when the Subaru Impreza in which they were travelling was in a collision with a Ford Transit just a few hundred yards from the company’s entrance. The driver of the van was taken to hospital with serious chest injuries.
Paying tribute to the men on Twitter, Hamilton, who raced with McLaren before moving to Mercedes, wrote: “Deeply saddened by news of the passing of two former McLaren colleagues in a car accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.”
His thoughts were echoed by McLaren’s new F1 driver Kevin Magnussen (21) who wrote, “I’m so so sorry to hear this… I send condolences to the families & to all at @McLaren & @McLarenF1. #RIP.”
The two men were on their lunch break and travelling in Bourton’s Subaru when the accident occurred, which was witnessed by colleagues following them in another vehicle.
Colleagues laid floral tributes at the entrance to the McLaren headquarters.
Speaking on behalf of them and the company, Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer of McLaren Automotive, said, “Tragically we have lost two very hard-working and extremely well-liked employees – two young men who had a very bright future ahead of them. I’d like to offer our heartfelt condolences to both their families and to their many friends.”
Pictures: Ollie Bourton with his girlfriend Rachel Carter; Darren Hayes, who was a keen motorcyclist; McLaren colleagues lay floral tributes
