Rallying-Neuville extends lead ahead of final day of Sweden Rally

STOCKHOLM, Feb 11 ( Reuters) - Hyundai's Thierry Neuville stretched his Rally Sweden lead to 43.3 seconds while Kris Meeke crashed into a snow bank on Saturday when one stage was cancelled due to safety concerns.

The 12th stage was scrapped by race organisers following a recommendation by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA) due to concerns about the high speeds on the icy, snowy course.

Citroen's Meeke thanked spectators for helping him after he hit a snow bank.

"The rear (of my car) snapped away from me, I couldn't turn in. Thanks to the spectators for helping us," Meeke said on Twitter.

Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala lies in second place, while Estonia's Ott Tanak is third.

World champion Sebastien Ogier remains fourth, over a minute behind the leader.

The race ends on Sunday. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)