THE death of a rally driver in a horror crash while racing has left his team “in mourning”.
David López Tomico was killed in the fatal crash during the Rallysprint San Bartolomé de Pinares in Ávila, Spain, on Saturday.
He was negotiating the course’s first downhill section when his Fiat Abarth Grande Punto careered off the path and rolled down a steep ravine.
Fire crews were unable to save him and he died of his injuries.
His co-driver, Natalia Rios Diaz, was trapped inside the car but was successfully recovered from the wreckage and rushed to hospital.
Race officials cancelled the rest of the day’s proceedings.
Tomico’s team, Vallejo Racing, paid tribute to him in a touching statement.
They wrote: “Again, this sport hits us where it hurts the most.
“Vallejo Racing is in mourning because we lose one of our own: David López Tomico, a passionate lover of motorsport, a leader in his work and an example of perseverance and love for his own.
“He joined the team in 2022 and his spirit and strength were fundamental for the Dakar 2023 project to bear fruit.
“Today we not only lose a mechanic or a team member, but we leave a friend of the real ones. David, your strength will always be with us.”
It comes after four-time British motorcycling champion Keith Farmer died aged just 35 following an injury-enforced retirement.
An inquest into Farmer’s death recorded a verdict of suicide after the court heard of his struggles with his exit from the sport and the breakdown of his relationship.
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
