Gina Heslop
In New Zealand, a rally sprint crash killed a teen driver and his co-driver. The accident happened at the Arcadia Road Rallysprint in Paparoa, where teenager Brooklyn Horan and 35-year-old Tyson Jemmett tragically lost their lives. They were racing when their car went off a gravel road and crashed into a flooded river. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
Brooklyn Horan was driving the car when it crashed, as confirmed by MotorSport New Zealand. Although the legal driving age in New Zealand is 16, younger drivers can compete in certain racing events. MotorSport New Zealand’s junior driver program allows individuals aged 12 to 16 to obtain a competition license. These young drivers frequently participate in such competitions.
MotorSport New Zealand has stated that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the causes of the crash. A spokesperson from the organization mentioned that it is too early to comment on the main contributing factors, but initial findings suggest that the road was not in a detrimental or unsafe condition. The event took place on Arcadia Road, which was closed to the public for the duration of the rally under the authority of the local Road Controlling Authority.
Wayne Christie, president of MotorSport New Zealand, expressed deep condolences, saying, “This terrible tragedy will, without a doubt, shock and upset everyone in the motorsports world. We will be offering support to all those involved in the coming days.” Many people have been paying tribute to Brooklyn Horan and Tyson Jemmett on social media.
Hyden Paddon, a World Rally Championship winner, expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “What a sad event yesterday! Two great people were taken too soon. Tyson was a huge rally fan and family man, and Brooklyn Horan was one of the most exciting young rally stars who was going to make it big. Your career may have only just been starting, but you had already left your mark.”
Winger Motorsport also shared their condolences, writing, “On behalf of the team at Winger Motorsport, we send our condolences to the friends and family of Brooklyn Horan and his co-driver Tyson.” 1Eighty Racing added, “Such a natural talent! Your family is in our thoughts and you will be missed on the track.”
Hodgson Motorsport expressed their grief, saying, “It was with a heavy heart that we heard the breaking news that Brooklyn died while doing the very thing our families loved together. It’s times like these that you remember that the sport we chose comes with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Brooklyn, you were an amazing, kind, loving, happy kid, and that hadn’t changed years later when we crossed paths again at off-roading last year. The cheeky smile was still the same, you had just grown a wee bit taller.”
Tyson Jemmett’s wife, Lucy, is pregnant with their first child and will miss him very much. Some of his old coworkers have started a fundraiser to help his wife and unborn child during this difficult time.
