Irish rally driver Craig Breen killed in accident during practice

Irish rally car driver Craig Breen died in a tragic accident on Thursday while practicing for a world championship race in Croatia. The 33-year-old driver was killed in the accident, and no further information regarding the incident was immediately made available.

Hyundai Motorsport, Breen's team, released a statement expressing their condolences: "Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen today lost his life following an accident during the pre-event test for Croatia Rally. Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident that occurred just after midday local time. Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans. Hyundai Motorsport will make no further comment at this time."

Breen had a successful career in rally racing, winning numerous national and international races and titles. He had previously survived a 2012 accident during a race that killed his co-driver Gareth Roberts.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also expressed his condolences in a statement: "On behalf of the FIA, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen following his passing during a private testing accident in Croatia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire Rally community at this difficult time."

The Irish motorsport community also mourned Breen's loss. Motorsport Ireland president Aidan Harper said in a statement, "The Irish motorsport community is numbed by this tragic news. Craig was a world-class driver and a world-class person. To Craig’s family, his parents Ray and Jackie, his sister Kellie, brother-in-law Darragh, and nephew Bobbie, I wish to extend my deepest condolences, and all our thoughts remain with Craig’s co-driver James Fulton. May they all find the strength and support they need at this unimaginably tragic time."

Breen's death is a significant loss to the rally racing community, and his fans and colleagues are mourning his passing.

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