'One of the greatest' - rallying legend Bertie Fisher remembered 25 years on from fatal helicopter crash

January 22 in 2001 marked a quarter of a century since Mr Fisher passed away after the incident in a private helicopter just outside his family home in Ballinamallard, which also claimed the lives of his eldest children Emma and Mark.

Emma (25) and Mark (27) died at the scene in the crash, which took place a day earlier on January 21.

Mr Fisher, who was 51-years-old at the time of the accident, died the following evening after the decision was taken to turn off his life support machine at the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen.

Mr Lynas, a motorsport correspondent for more than four decades who previously covered the sport for the News Letter, shared a fond memory with Bertie, which he still recalls with a smile.

“I remember we used to do a press car test which saw a famous person drive a vehicle and I did an interview at the same time,” he said.

“Bertie and I had breakfast early in Ballinamallard and then he drove a sporty Alfa Romeo for three to four hours and then we had lunch.

“Bertie asked me if I was in a rush home and I said no...so we then went to the shores of Lough Erne near St Angelo Airfield.

“He asked if this would be a lovely place to build a house and as it turned out that’s what happened.”

A four-time Irish tarmac champion, Mr Fisher was known for his 20 international rally victories and was a three-time winner of the Circuit of Ireland, as well as a record-breaking six-times winner at the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney and four times winner of the Ulster Rally.

He was also a successful businessman with his family company Fisher Engineering Ltd.

Mr Lynas recalled how Mr Fisher had a great sense of humour away from the race track and a great will to win on it.

“For many years Bertie was one of the top elite drivers in the whole of Ireland,” he explained.

“He participated in many international events in Ireland and won along the way.

“Bertie was interested in road cars and had plenty of nice vehicles but rallying tied up the majority of his time along with his business.

“He had a fantastic sense of humour but he was totally focused. He had his cars prepared to absolute perfection and he is best known for his success when driving a Subaru.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been 25 years since the tragedy. I remember having to write a two-page feature on Bertie for the News Letter after the accident.

“Bertie’s funeral in Ballinamallard was one of the largest I’ve been at which showed you how highly regarded he was.”

Mr Fisher’s wife Gladys and son Roy were critically injured in the crash but made a full recovery.

The family had been returning from a celebration to mark Mrs Fisher's birthday at Ashford Castle in County Mayo.

The ‘Fisher Foundation’ was set-up in memory of Bertie, Mark and Emma Fisher by Fisher Engineering in 2003 to ensure their legacy lives on.

The Foundation’s activities are focused on two core themes – supporting voluntary work overseas by offering bursary awards and financial support to young people from Fermanagh who are undertaking voluntary work overseas.

Support has also been given to motor clubs and other relevant organisations to improve safety standards at rally events.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine paid her respects: “So many people have been supported by the bursary awards.

“We remember them today on what is a poignant and difficult day for their family and friends.”

Local football club Ballinamallard United also paid tribute to the Fisher family, where the clubhouse has trophies and memorabilia from their rallying exploits.

A club statement on Facebook reads: “Our Club were extremely pleased to house the trophy cabinet, which contains silverware and crystalware presented to Bertie after victories at the Circuit of Ireland, Rally of the Lakes, Donegal International and Manx Rally among others.

“The cabinet also contains memorabilia from Mark’s career.

“We are honoured to display memorabilia relating to one of the greatest rally drivers of his generation and a man and his family who are greatly admired throughout the community in Fermanagh and beyond.”