'It hit me about 70mph!' Jim Clark Rally spectator run over by car told his weight probably saved his life
A spectator who suffered serious injuries after being run over by a car at the Jim Clark Rally 14 years ago admits he's lucky to be alive.
But Paul Robson, from Kelso, revealed he's not lost his love of motorsport - and hopes to marshal at the event next year.
"It's a great sport, it's a great event for the Scottish Borders; I've come every year," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I got hit about 70mph by a rear engine Metro, but I recovered and I'm still here today."
Paul was among the crowds who turned out to see the drivers off at the start of this year's rally in Duns last night (Friday).
He had been watching the action on the Fogo stage in 2011, when a competitor lost control of their vehicle.
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video report from the opening day of this year's event...
"It was a very windy day, and the wind was going away from us," he explained. "I was standing talking to the marshal on a 90-degree bend when the car came up from behind us - I never seen it.
"It hit me about 70mph, and drove right over the top of me.
"I've got a big massive chunk out my leg, and right at the back, a massive massive head injury."
The penultimate stage of the race was cancelled as Paul was airlifted to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
"I was in there for a full week, before I got myself back home and got myself sorted out," he said.
"I was quite a big chap in them days and the guy said it was my weight that probably saved my life.
"It took a bit of dealing with, mentally. Had I had recollection of it, I would maybe have coped with it better.
A marshal licensing scheme and improved communication with spectators were among a series of recommendations made to improve safety in the years that followed, as part of a Scottish government review of motor sports.
Paul added: "I didn't come back for a couple of years, but I love motorsport.
"And I'm hoping next year to go and do some training to become a marshal, and get heavily involved if I can."
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/