A BUSINESSMAN has spoken of his horror after being ‘within yards’ of the fatal high-speed crash at the famous Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race.

Matthew Metcalfe, 30, of Colne-based IT firm Holker Network Solutions, had travelled with colleagues to watch ‘24 Hours of Le Mans’, the world’s oldest active sports car race, at the weekend.

But their trip was tinged with sadness as the event claimed the life of Danish driver Allan Simonsen.

Simonsen, 34, one of the most experienced sports car drivers in the world, was competing for Aston Martin in the GTE-Am class.

Matthew said: “It was sick-ening to be there and to be so close.

“The Aston Martin just spun off the track into the barrier just yards from where we were standing. It was immediately obvious that something very serious had happened, although the fatality was not confirmed for two hours.

“The race, which was only in its early stages, stopped for an hour or so and we thought it be called off. However, we learned later that the family of Allan wanted it to carry on in his honour.

Accompanied by business partner Michael Ingham, 48, as well as family and friends, Matthew had driven his own Jaguar XK8 all the way from East Lancashire to the famous French town, while Michael drove a Porsche 911.

Matthew said: “It was something we had wanted to do for years. Michael and I are both mad keen sports car enthusiasts and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a major global event. The trip was good and it was great to realise a dream, but the fatal crash certainly put a major dampener on it all for everyone there.”

This year's Le Mans marked the 90th anniversary of the race and its 81st edition on the Circuit de la Sarthe, situated two hours south west of Paris.

Holker won the Lancashire Telegraph small business of the year gong at last year's ceremony.