Bourne trial opens

A trial to determine if rally driver Michael Barltrop was responsible for the death of Possum Bourne opens in Invercargill District Court today.

Barltrop, 38, of Kingston, Central Otago, has denied dangerous driving causing Bourne's death when the pair collided on April 18 last year during a reconnaissance run before the Race to the Sky rally near Wanaka.

Rally legend Bourne died of his head injuries in Dunedin Hospital 12 days later after his life support machine was turned off.

His widow, Peggy Bourne, expects attending the trial will be emotional but "it's something I have to do".


Crown solicitor Alistair Garland said about 26 witnesses would be called, including expert crash analyst Professor John Raine.

- NZPA