A black day for Gumball 2007
The Gumball 3000 rally is receiving a lot of attention the past few hours, unfortunately though, for the wrong reasons. According to reports, Nicholas Morley, 30, and Matthew McConvile, 32, both British citizens, have been arrested in FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia) for a hit & run incident when their Porsche 911 crashed into an elderly couple’s VW Golf, killing Vladimir Cepuljoski, 67 and seriously injuring his wife, Margarita who remains hospitalized in critical condition. Apparently, the two Brits tried to escape by getting into another car but they were caught by FYROM police.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends!
Official Gumball3000 HQ Statement:
Gumball 3000 is very saddened to announce a road accident which occurred yesterday, May 2nd, involving a participating vehicle and a local vehicle in Macedonia. Exact details are still filtering through, but below are the facts as of midday May 3rd 2007 issued by the Macedonian authorities.
An adult Macedonian male aged 67 died in hospital from a heart attack following the incident where the two cars collided. The participants in the rally were held in custody last night with a preliminary court judgement expected today.
Organisers of the rally would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of the victim for this tragic accident.
Maximillion Cooper, founder of the Rally says: “It is with extreme sadness I have to make an announcement of this nature in the events nine year history. The event is organised with each local authorities support and permission, and drivers are under strict stipulation to abide by the laws and road regulations of the country they are driving through. It is extremely sad for this unfortunate accident to have occurred. I am informed that the incident was reported immediately by the drivers. Both drivers are extremely traumatised by this occurrence.”
From MaxFax.com:
…have been arrested in Macedonia after an alleged hit and run incident which left one man dead and his wife fighting for her life.The 67-year-old died on his way to hospital and his wife was in a critical condition after a Porsche taking part in the super car race crossed the road at speed and ploughed into their VW Golf…
…The drivers of the Porsche 911 Turbo Techart which Macedonian TV station A1 named as Nick Morley and Matthew McConville, allegedly got out of their crashed car and ran off.The station said they later climbed into another car, a BMW, and tried to leave the country.But eye witnesses alerted police and the pair were arrested at the border.
Via Jalopnik.com and GTspirit.com
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
yeah, so much fun !
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:04 pm
what a pair ot retards, but we have all the videos of gumall, it was bound to happen sooner or later R.I.P.
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:28 pm
It is very sad day, that two participants have jepordised the reputation of the Gumball, for not facing up to their actions.
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:16 pm
exactly. 2 people destroy the gumball. very sad.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:00 am
Past participants have always stayed at the accident and called up local authorities to help settle the matter and aid any injured. The man’s life could have been saved that way. And those guys had to run. Silly.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:17 am
So, they decided to leave the accident site, and get in another car and try to leave the country, meanwhile leaving the victim at the side of the road to die? Fuck them, throw the book at them.
And yes, I rally. This gives all rally competitors a bad name. Pathetic. and Gumball trying to cover it up is even worse.
May 4th, 2007 at 6:13 am
What idiots. Shame on them. Crashing is one thing. Running is another. Shoot them please!
May 4th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Two people destroyed gumball? reputation of Gumball? What are u talking about? They have destroyed the life of two people! Gumball? Who matters Gumball, fucking idiots? World is so stupid thanks to people like you that are so selfish that can’t even think that are not alone on the road. Fuck you!
May 4th, 2007 at 9:38 am
May 4th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Maybe Max needs to start a strict screening of all participants of Gumball?
Young, Rich and dumb………….
Ruin it for all…………..
May 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Please don’t call this an accident. Nicholas Morley, Matthew McConvile and all others in GB3000 all willingly took the risks. Let’s call this murder in the first degree! And running away from the crimescene shows Nicholas and Matthew knew that. Let Nicholas and Matthew rot in a Macadonean prison for at least 20 years!
May 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I hope they’ll hang those cowards to the next tree.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Fuck off
How can they be so retarded to go away.
Fuck gumball
all the gumballers should pay for this.
I think they are in Bratislava right now.
Will post further names and locations
let’s hunt them
May 4th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Throw the fucking book at the cowards, they have jepordised what should be a harmless bit of fun, with a cowardly, thoughtless and selfish act, lock the fuckers up and throw away the key.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Just a remark - the name of the country is not FYROM (former yugoslav republic of Macedonia) but Republic of MACEDONIA! Please respect our constitutional name and help our struggle against greek faschist stand on that issue. We have that temporarily reference (FYROM) in the UN, because the dispute caused by Greece. Imagine if USA should be named as FBCOA (Former british colonies of America). Got it?
Thanx for understanding!
RIP Vladimir! Neka ti e lesna zemjata.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
… it sux… gumball suxx and everybody protecting it suxx too… yup i agree shoot the two suckers from porsche
May 4th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
sad & tragic what happen to those people. also sad is how everyone abandon gumball due to the mistake of 1 person. its not the fault of fast cars, gumball, sponsors or participants. no reason to damn the whole event. i came from texas to london for the after parties & to see the cars in person. now…nothin.
May 4th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
First of all with the sole fact that they have tried to escape speaks about their destructive personality-the above mentioned driver MUST face the consequences!!!
Second there is nothing with which Gumball 3000 can make up the loss to this family.
Gumball 3000 should be responsible for this groze incident because they haven’t asked for permission of transpassing Macedonian theritory!
And if there is a God i hope that the driver as well as his “fellow companion in crime” won’t get out of jail!
May 4th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
you now have got what you wanted: “world’s maddest, fastest and most eccentric show”…..
- you blasé small chickenhearted rabbits
…”it´s so sad….we are so sorry”……nice theater but maybe too dramatic
May 4th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Our thoughts are with Nick - we hope he doesn’t get less than 5 years, $1M fine and suspended license. Also, we hope the widow sues the irresponsible organizers of this retarded event for promoting unsafe driving on public roads and facilitating the event (which makes them directly responsible for the accident).
May 4th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Sadly, widow died as well. I am big Gumball3000 fan but this is not normal that driver can hit and run. At least they should stopped. Idiots!!!!!! Very, very unprofessional.
May 4th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
the guy panicked you dont know what you would do in a situation like that? he didnt mean to kill them did he? the last thing he needs now is the world to be after him. im sure he’s suffered enough?
May 4th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
u guys dont have enough money to go to the gumball thats why u guys are bashing all these guy’s listen who cares alright they did wrong and now its there fault let them pay for it but from now …. gumball is still #1
May 5th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Idiots like these two will bring us speed cameras EVERYWHERE. In 10 years we will be driving at max 75kmh, even at remote, fast and safe roads.
My thoughts go to these two poor guys from FYROM. They probably had a hard life already. They did not deserve this…
May 5th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Put them in a golf, crash into them with a porsche and leave them on the side of the road; gumball is of course number #1 but you don’t have to drive on the wrong side of the road to have fun…
May 5th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Ok they are cowards, but before playing judges, shouldn’t you guys now how the accident exactly happened? Just a thought
May 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
what a couple of fucking retards they should be shown these replys and care and support that that lady for the remainder of her years.
May 5th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
haha, your on to something. Look its a rally, probably one of the greatest. In 9 years they’ve never had a death occur this being a first. Its sad the couple from ROM died and yes the two Gumballers will face a judge. It was bound to happen sooner or later (I would have thought sooner). In any case if you all dislike GM3000 so much….don’t watch. There, said my $0.02…
May 5th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
oh just one more thing…yes it was indeed cowardly for them to run from the scene but I’m sure shock had kicked in, ok done.
May 5th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
indeed that day is a black day both for the family of the two victims who died from the accident and the Gumball (even if i don’t care for the reputation of the Gumball 3000) as it is, they two british RICH guys who hit the VW Golf with that moment they should have stopped and call imidiately the ambulance damn!!!, maybe the poor couple could survive somehow
(, i hope that from all this will come up a fair judgement, and that the two brittish guys get their penalty they deserve…they should pay for that they’ve done, with money or jail nevermind just they should get the penalty, this is very sad…
May 6th, 2007 at 12:39 am
Yes, they did have a hard life (the victims). Their son died at his 30 few years ago from cancer. Their daughter is left alone now. I’m sorry that the reputation of your Gumball is ruined, but I think that peoples lives cost more.
People in Macedonia are mostly very nice although economically there are no roses for everyone here.
Sadly, due to the low crime rate, at least until few years back, our laws are not so tough, so 20 years in prison is not happening.
May 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
This is a very sad time for the ‘GLUMBALL’ this sums it up! Normal people in the UK will get a speeding fine and points for exceeding 5 or 10mph over the speed limit. Money and fame is not above the law! I think those idiots who caused this accident should be locked up for a long time to make an example of them. And to add to that, anybody in a flash expensive car will try to break the law anyway. Caprice is currently banned in the UK because of drink driving blatantly, and still tried to hire a ‘bent Lawyer’ to try to get her off… But it didn’t happen did it stupid woman. I think that they should all donate some money towards helping the young woman who now is left without a mother or farther, and try to do something in making this event safe. EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS THE RIGHT TO DRIVE A CAR, AND NOT HAVE SOME IDIOTS WITH MORE MONEY THAN BRAINS THINK THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW period.
May 6th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I don’t blame the rally. Car accidents happen all the time. It’s bad luck that this one had to involve a car from the rally. The fucked up thing is they tried to run. Further more the driver Nicholas Morley bribed a judge and tried to escape Macedonia by a private plane but was stopped at the airport and returned to jail. Do these people have no dignity?
My bet is that Mom and Dad will pay his way out of this whole mess.
May 7th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Why did the two participants flee? Whats the point, this cant ruin the reputation and never run again as Gumball is known well around the world. Think of it, crahes like this happen a lot, resulting in a death is terrible, but trying to run away and act like the innocent ones is even worse. R.I.P
May 7th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
IMHO, Maximillian Cooper is guilty of 2nd degree murder and all participants in the Gumball 3000 are guilty of involuntary manslaughter. In case you’re from Macedonia, “serious acts against public security” is what it’s called.
Yea, it might be cool to watch the accidents and crazy driving, but 2 INNOCENT people lost their lives. Just driving down the road and WHAM, they got taken out.
I love rally racing, but NOT by celebrity drivers, UNTRAINED, and in an event with NO ORGANIZED SAFETY PROCEDURES. If you notice in the crashes you can find on you-tube, etc., when the racers jump out to help… they run to help their buddies.. BUT who’s helping the innocent people they ran into?
Sorry for the language, but all I have to say is FUCK all you rich arrogant ASS HOLES that take part in the Gumball. Every participant in this year’s race should get sued, all participating cars impounded and sold. Ya, you rich bastards need to be shown that you’re NOT above the law.
Next time just buy a deserted island and race there.
May 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Oh, and by the way Jimbo, Ceq, Haha, LU, Bambi.., my favorite being the comment: “In any case if you all dislike GM3000 so much….don’t watch. There, said my $0.02…”
Do you think the drivers of the VW even heard of Gumball 3000?
You can’t just close your eyes to something like this LU. You can’t just change the channel and make it go away. And you definately can’t bring back the lives of the two people who were killed by the negligence of Gumball organizers and participants.
Nuf said.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:37 am
In my opinion accidents NEVER happen but collisions DO. When drivers push the cars and themselves to the limit something can go wrong and the news of a death is terribly saddening. This was no accident, someone is to blame and i hope they get what they deserve.
Apologies and deepest condolences to the family concerned for the idiotic behaviour demonstated by a British citizen. I only hope that the answers you search for are found and that justice prevails.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I am so glad I didn’t waste 30k entering the gumball, I follow the event every year and would still love to do it. It such a shame that this year ended like this.I do feel sorry for the family that have to pick up the pieces because of the actions of one person. I love driving like a nob, but I know where my limits are. Maybe if Mr Morley has enough money to waste on a fancy car and the gumball he might have enough left over for some advanced driver lessons.
May 9th, 2007 at 7:49 am
It appears in the photo that the VW was speared, so Morley’s account of events could possibly be true…
Regardless, the event’s organizers need to police the entrants. They could always use the in-car satellite devices to determine the cars’ speed and kick out participants that speed excessively. Rumors were that the 10th Rally would go from London through Moscow, North & South Korea, and end in Sydney. If it is run, it better be done with strict safety regulations. I love the idea of traveling 3000 miles in 7 days, but not at risk of death.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I’ve always had a passion for cars especially exotics. I’ve followed Gumball/Player’s Run events for the past few years. The drivers, and us the spectators, know there is risk involved in these events. There will always be risk involved whenever an automobile is on the road even when driving down the block to the local convenience store. Irresponsible drivers are everywhere even some of us here typing/reading these blogs. However I must say to leave the scene of an accident is a serious offense no matter what country your in especially when there is a fatality. Maybe with this incident things will change for the safety of the drivers and the general public where these events take place. I do believe that the two occupants of the Porsche need to stand trial and face the consequences of their actions. As for Maxamillion Cooper he shares a passion for exotics as do most of us “car guys”. Instead of pointing fingers offer your prayers to the family of the people in the VW that passed away, prayers for the two British guys, and last but not least pray for the Lord’s guidance for any future events Maxamillion will have. May God’s grace be with all the people involved in this incident.
Thanks from Dallas, TX.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:23 am
I think they Should at least promise to never do it again !
June 6th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
I have investigated this case very carefully and in intimate detail.
The World’s Press has found this man to be guilty without any trial and without any research into the true facts.
I have interviewed everybody involved in the case and report thus
1/ The accident was caused by the Golf’s driver who did not stop at STOP sign and drove straight out into the main road and on the wrong side
2/ The Porsche was not travelling fast and the UK forensic scientist’s official report (of which I have an attested copy)states it was approx 44 mph.
3/ The Gumball drivers were uninjured due to their air bags and the low speed of the indirect impact, and did immediately help remove the 2 injured local persons and place them into 2 passing cars in order for them to get to hospital as soon a possible.
4/ The damage to the 35 year old VW was due to it rolling into the tree and collapsing on the passengers, not due to the actual indirect angled impact. I am not sure if they were wearing seatbelts, or even whether these were fitted to the VW.
5/ An angry crowd appeared after some 15 minutes or so and began threatening the Gumball guys. When a ‘’safe car’ appeared they stopped it and asked for a lift to the nearest police station, to be safe.
6/ This station happened to be only 1-2kms away at the border where they immediately reported to the officers all the details of the accident and the injured parties.
7/ After recording full statements they were told ‘’free to go'’. No problems etc .
8/ The VW driver died of a heart attack some time later and his wife was still in intensive care with lung damage.
9/A court hearing was called and the judge reviewed the whole matter, visited the accident scene and gave both men bail,their passports back and told them they were free to leave. No mention was made of not being allowed to leave Macedonia.
10/ Nicholas and Matt decided to ensure ‘’true facts'’ were recorded so asked to buy the wrecked VW which had mysteriously disappeared ( not by the Police). When finally obtained some days later it had every moveable part stripped and was just a crumpled shell left. It remains locked in their posession as evidence.
11/ The damage to the Porsche is not bad. Just all the plastic bumpers and spoilers etc at the front of the car whch had actually ended up only some 10 metres off the road thus proving no high speed accident!
12/ Nicholas’s family decided to remove him to a safe country as soon as posible and (foolishly) hired a plane that evening rather than hope to catch a normal airlne the next day. This backfired as the authorities were not used to ‘private aircraft’ and thought it suspicious.An over zealous airport official’s phonecalls to his bosses started a witch hunt!
13/ They then (illegally)arrested Nicholas at the airport with no charges, locked him up for 18 hours without food or telephone or a lawyer and refused to inform the British Embassy . Matt (passenger) was allowed to leave!
14/ A so called accident expert produced a report claiming the Porsche was travelling at 160kms per hour. The ‘’expert'’ would not state his credentials, would not allow the defence lawyers to watch his investigation nor see how his calculations were produced. Locals claim he is currently unemployed and used to be a cab driver!
15/ Based on this report the prosecutor issues a formal charge of Reckless Driving. He refuses to even read the UK expert’s formal and validated report which concludes only a 70 kms per hour speed for the Porsche!
16/ Nicholas has been locked up in a pre-trial detention centre for 4 weeks (illegally) and bail is repeatedly refused.
17/ In court the defence destroy the credibility of Prosecution ‘expert’ but Judge refuses (twice) to even read or accept any defence evidence whatsoever!
This is the most gross example of Miscarriage of Justice I have ever witnessed in my life, and belies belief.
18/ UK Consul makes protestation to local Judge. Judge wants to wrap up case and deliver a judgement without having heard the defence expert evidence.Defence ask for more time .
CONTINUES…………….
June 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
hi.
Today June 08,2007 Nick Morley was released in probation that he will NOT brake the law between 2 years with conviction of “no-more-car-accidents” for 2 years. And of course he payed I dont know how much, but a lot of them.
And what’s most interesting that his mother was here while judging him, and then his mother told to the press that he was not guilty, that he wasnt the one driving the car and most importantly it wasnt his porsche that caused the accident. I was shocked. What the fuck?! But I think that the family of Cepuljoski has forgiven him… in thoughts of that this event of Gumball should take more responsibility and be more secured for others do not get injured.
Cheers,from Macedonia.
June 9th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I AM APPALLED BY THE REACTION OF THE MAJORITY OF THE GUMBALL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS THREAD AND THE BLOGS I HAVE READ ON THIS WHOLE TRAGEDY
THE DISGUSTING,CRASS,INSULTING AND SLANDEROUS COMMENTS MADE BY MANY OF THE TOTALLY IGNORANT WRITERS WHO PROFESS TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON THE MATTER IS ALMOST BEYOND BELIEF. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!
HOW CAN ANYONE IN THIS MODERN DAY ERA OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND AN ELECTRONICALLY LINKED WORLD BELIEVE THAT MORLEY WOULD BE SO STUPID AS TO THINK ‘RUNNING AWAY’ WOULD EVER BE AN OPTION.THE MAN IS A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE AND HIS PASSENGER HAS A MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND OWNS THE DAMAGED PORSCHE. THESE ARE TWO NICE RESPECTABLE GUYS OF ABOVE AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE, BROUGHT UP IN THE UK IN A MORAL SOPHISTICATED WORLD OF RESPONSIBILITY.
I COPY BELOW SOME OF THE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS WHICH MIGHT HELP READERS GET SOME INKLING OF THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT THIS TRAGIC ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHICH ONLY REACHED INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE BECAUSE OF THE LINK TO ‘GUMBALL’ AND ALL THE NEGATIVES THAT WORD IMPLIES.
Nicholas Morley car accident, Macedonia, May 2nd 2007
STATEMENT OF FACTS AS ISSUED PUBLICLY BY THE MORLEY FAMILY ON JUNE 8TH AS NICHOLAS WAS FREED.
• According to two expert crash investigators, the vehicle driven by Nicholas Morley was travelling at no more than 47mph (76kph) at the time of the accident
• The initial accident investigation was carried out by a professional Macedonian investigator. His findings were reviewed and confirmed by Dr Richard Lambourn, an established expert in the field
• Dr Lambourn was an accident reconstruction specialist at the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory for 23 years (1973-1996) and is currently a principal consultant at TRL, an independent, not-for-profit transport research firm and consultancy. It was the firm that reconstructed the car crash that caused the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
• The cause of the crash was a second vehicle pulling out of a minor road without warning and into Nicholas’s path. The cause of the crash has not been disputed by the prosecution
• According to the defence expert witnesses, Nicholas had 1.6 seconds to respond to the second car’s sudden appearance, causing him to react reflexively and swerve violently to the left. The defence experts concluded that the accident would have been unavoidable at 30mph (50kph)
• The court declined to hear the evidence of the defence expert witnesses, although the testimony of the prosecution expert witness was heard
• Macedonia is party to the European Convention on Human Rights, Article 6 of which provides a detailed right to a fair trial. Under the Macedonian Criminal Code, the defence has a right to submit evidence
• The prosecution’s accident investigator is not a professional in this field. He admitted in court that he is currently unemployed. He further admitted in court that the police sketch of the crash site on which he based his findings is inaccurate
• Dr Lambourn concluded that the accident investigation report relied on by the prosecution is “fundamentally flawed in its physical and mathematical reasoning.” He further concluded that it was “quite impossible” that Nicholas’s car was travelling at the 100mph (161kph) alleged by the prosecution
• The family of the Mr and Mrs Cepunjoski, who were tragically killed in the crash, have called for the court to release Nicholas
• Following the accident, Nicholas and his passenger, Matthew McConville, attempted to disentangle the vehicles and offer what assistance they could. They only left the scene after the injured persons had left the scene in local vehicles. Nicholas and Matthew then travelled to the border to alert the police
• Nicholas Morley and Matthew McConville spoke to the investigating judge at Qafasan, on the Macedonia/Albania border
• Nicholas Morley did not try to flee the country. He was released on bail, with no conditions or restrictions attached. He was free to leave the country
• Nicholas Morley, 30, is not a millionaire; He does not work in property
FURTHER NOTES TO THIS CASE BELOW
If you use the attached link you can also find a video link which shows the court proceedings as Nicholas Morley is freed.
If you play this there is an interesting shot of the 2 cars as they finally ended up alongside the road.
In my humble opinion the Porsche is so close to the road as to have only been travelling relatively slowly at time of the crash.
I also know from Nicholas Morley ( having spoken to both him and Matt) that neither of the 2 passengers in the VW were wearing ( mandatory in Macedonia) seat belts when they pulled them out of the stricken vehicle after the crash.
I also know that there was a pole which was knocked down by the VW as it slid off the road which probably caused that car to crumple.
http://www.a1.com.mk/vesti/default.asp?VestID=80320
Or check out the video directly at
http://media.a1.com.mk/media/video/07/morli-presuda.wmv
November 12th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Congrats on your release bro……accidents happen…and sometimes they dont have the best of results……after reading all the comments poeted on the site i can see that peolple like to talk before they get their story straight………………..the only thing i can advise you is to learn how to drift…i belive you could’ve prevented that with suffention skill and reaction time….. (Crash Course)Laguna Seca Speedway, Laguna Seca,CA USA