A leading motorcyclist who crashed during Northern Ireland’s North West 200 race meeting died in hospital today.
Mark Young (22) from Cookstown, Co Tyrone suffered extensive internal injuries when he came off his bike in the opening 250cc race yesterday .
He had been racing since 2002 and 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.
Mervyn Whyte, North West 200 clerk of course, announced the death. He said: “Coleraine and District Motor Club members and staff and myself as Clerk of the Course are devastated by the news that Mark Young has died following a serious incident at Mather’s Cross during the 250cc race at the North West 200.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.”
He crashed at the same spot where motorcycling legend Robert Dunlop died when he crashed during a practice session ahead of last year’s meet.
Another rider who crashed during the opening practice session last Tuesday, Antrim man John Anderton, remains in a critical condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Meanwhile a motorcyclist died in hospital earlier today after being critically injured in a three bike crash in Co Antrim after attending the North West 200 races.
A woman and three other people were also taken to hospital after the crash on the Dunluce Road outside Portrush, but their injures were not believed to be life threatening.
The accident happened soon after the bikers left the north coast meeting after the last two races of the 80th anniversary meeting were cancelled due to bad weather last night.
The family of the middle aged motorcyclist asked police not to identify him publicly.
Meanwhile, four men were taken to hospital after being assaulted in a disturbance at a pub in Portstewart after the races.
The trouble started in a bar on Central Avenue before spilling out onto the street where the four — aged 20, 21, 24 and 29 — were assaulted.
Their conditions after hospital treatment were not believed to be life threatening.
PA