Edinburgh, Feb 17 (IANS): A 50-year-old woman was killed and an eight-year-old boy was hurt after a rally car left a forest track and hit spectators in the Highlands in Scotland.

The boy was sent to a hospital and his condition was not believed to be life-threatening, reports Xinhua.

Neither the driver nor the co-driver of the vehicle were injured and no other spectators were hurt.

The incident happened in the first stage of the Highland Car Club Snowman Rally in Glen Urquhart Forest at Balnain, five miles west of Loch Ness.

The opening round of the 2013 Scottish Rally Championship was cancelled after the incident.

Championship chairman Dave Robson extended condolences to the families of the victims. "We offer our committed support to Highland Car Club and all those affected at this difficult time."

The Scottish Highland Car Club also expressed its sympathies to the families of those involved. The event attracted 110 competing crews and was due to include five stages.