A rally driver has died and another is in hospital following a crash on the Isle of Mull.

Andy Mort, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. John MacCrone, 26, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The men were participating in the annual Mull Rally, which has since been abandoned.

MacCrone, from Mull, was driving and Mort, who was also from the island, was his co-driver.

Road policing officers are investigating the incident, which happened shortly after 1pm on Saturday.

Sergeant Archie McGuire of Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Divisional Road Policing Unit, who is leading the inquiry, said: “For the spectators and participants of the annual Mull Rally, this has been a desperately saddening event. We are working closely with the event organisers in investigating the incident.

“Specialist officers are at the scene and have begun the process of determining the circumstances which have led to this crash.”

In a statement, the Motor Sports Association said: “As with any serious incident in or around UK motor sports, the MSA is now working with the event organisers and relevant authorities to establish precisely what happened on this occasion.

“The MSA is saddened by this tragic incident and sends its condolences to the family and friends of the co-driver, and offers its best wishes to the driver for a full recovery.”