In a heartbreaking accident during a rally event on Arcadia Road in Paparoa, a car veered off a gravel road and plunged into a flooded river, killing both driver and co-driver at the scene.

MotorSport New Zealand confirmed that Brooklyn Horan, a rising 15-year-old racing talent, was behind the wheel. He was participating under the junior driver program, which allows competitors as young as 12 with a special license.

His co-driver, Tyson Jemmett, a passionate rally fan and soon-to-be father, was also killed. His wife, Lucy, is expecting their first child.

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, officials say the road was not in unsafe condition. The rally had been closed to the public and sanctioned by local authorities.

Tributes have flooded in. Rally champion Hayden Paddon wrote: “Two great people taken too soon… Brooklyn had already made his mark.” Teams like Winger Motorsport and Hodgson Motorsport remembered Brooklyn for his talent, bright personality, and “cheeky smile.”

A fundraiser has been launched to support Tyson’s pregnant wife as the motorsport community grieves this devastating loss.