A SHERIFF has ruled that the three deaths during the 2014 Jim Clark Rally could have been avoided if a clear ban had been in place at the location of the fatal crash.

A fatal accident inquiry was held into the deaths Iain Provan, 64, Elizabeth Allan, 63, and Len Stern, 71, near Coldstream more than three years ago.

The inquiry also looked at a fourth fatality at the Snowman Rally near Inverness the previous year.

Sheriff Kenneth Maciver found no reasonable precautions could have avoided the death at the Snowman Rally.

But he criticised the verification system at the Jim Clark Rally.

He said that the deaths at the Borders event might have been avoided had an area north of the Leet bridge been "created, delineated and identified" so it "clearly prohibited spectators or photographers from standing anywhere in that area".

He also identified a "weak, ambiguous, and ultimately inadequate verification system" for checking the proper performance of the work of stage commanders or stage setup crews in identifying the areas which were prohibited to spectators for safety reasons.

The sheriff recommended all rallies should have clear and properly prepared set-up arrangements shared with marshals so they are clear of precise prohibited areas; at least one safety car should have a specific remit to ensure prohibited areas are clearly marked; rally organisers should keep a record of crashes or near misses to identify areas where spectators might be at risk; and the introduction of a warning light system in rally cars to ensure they can be stopped quickly.

He also recommended that consideration should be given to training marshals to deal with situations where spectators put themselves on a live rally track.

Local MP John Lamont has welcomed the publication of the FAI and says the focus must now be on implementing the recommendation to ensure safe motorsports events are able to go ahead - including the Jim Clark Rally.

He said: “This inquiry will go some way to provide clarity to those who lost their loved ones in the tragic events of 2013 and 2014.

"Clearly lessons need to be learned and the Motor Sports Association and Jim Clark Rally organisers must now look to implement the recommendations, in full, as soon as possible.

“Many of these recommendations are already being implemented by the Motor Sports Association, following the Scottish Government’s Safety review in 2015 and I would therefore expect this work to be completed quickly.

“It is my hope that now we have this judgment, the organisers, MSA and Scottish Borders Council can move forward to ensure a safe Jim Clark Rally can be held again as soon as possible.”