ONE OF Ireland’s best-known motorcyclists and a spectator have been killed in separate incidents at a major race meeting in the North.
Mark Young (22), from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, suffered extensive internal injuries when he came off his bike in the opening 250cc race of the North West 200 in Portrush, Co Antrim, on Saturday. He crashed at the same spot where motorcycling legend Robert Dunlop died when he was injured during a practise session ahead of last year’s meet.
Mr Young was the winner of four Irish national road races.
After initial treatment he was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he died with his family at his bedside.
Meanwhile, a Welsh man died following a three-motorcycle crash in Portrush after the racing had finished on Saturday evening. It happened shortly before 7pm on the Dunluce Road in Portrush. A woman and three men were injured in the collision but their injuries are not life threatening.
All those involved in the crash had been attending the races which attract up to 150,000 spectators each year. The races take place on public roads around Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart.
Two other riders were injured during the races. Englishman Christian Elkin is in a stable condition after breaking a leg. Antrim rider John Anderton, who was injured during a practise session for the racing event on Tuesday, remains in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, four men were taken to hospital after they were assaulted outside a bar in Portstewart, Co Derry, after the races.
