An AS350B2 Squirrel helicopter registered G-CBHL to McRae crashed 1 mile north of Lanark, Scotland on 15 September 2007, which is close to the McRae family home.
McRae was known to be a keen helicopter pilot, and his agent Jean-Éric Freudiger has stated that McRae was piloting the helicopter at the time of the crash.
Police confirmed the next day that McRae, his five year old son Johnny, and two family friends, Graeme Duncan and Johnny's six year old friend Ben Porcelli, died in the crash.
McRae's website, ColinMcRae.com, was replaced with a memorial screen stating a few details about the crash.

World Rally Championship record:
Nationality: Scottish
Active years 1987–2006
Teams Subaru, Citroen, Ford, Skoda
World rallies 146
Championships 1 (1995)
Wins 25
Podium finishes 42
Stage wins 477
Points 626
First world rally 1987 Swedish Rally
First win 1993 Rally New Zealand
Last win 2002 Safari Rally
Last world rally 2006 Rally of Turkey