Macau: Luis Carreira dies following accident

Portuguese rider Luis Carreira has died following an accident during qualifying at the Macau Grand Prix.

The session was abandoned at 4.30pm local time today following the incident.

A statement issued by the Macau Grand Prix Committee said: "The Macau Grand Prix Committee regrets to announce that Luis Filipe de Sousa Carreira, competitor no. 33, from Portugal, in the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 46th edition, has succumbed to injuries sustained in a racing accident during the qualifying session this afternoon.

"No other rider was involved in the incident, which occurred at Fisherman's Bend at 15.58. The qualifying session was immediately red-flagged.

"The medical services, a fast intervention vehicle, fully equipped, and an ambulance with two doctors in attendance, which were located at the side of the accident, immediately went to the rider's aid.

"As a result of the doctors' diagnosis, Mr. Carreira was immediately evacuated by ambulance to the hospital, where he was admitted at 16.08.

"Continuous CPR was performed, however he succumbed to his injuries at 16.28.

"The Macau Grand Prix Committee has contacted the family and the members of the team, and the Committee expresses its sincere condolences."

The 35-year-old has been a regular competitor at Macau since 2004.

He was also an experienced Isle of Man TT rider, achieving his best result of 13th in the Superstock event in 2011.

Mr Carreira was riding a Suzuki for the Bennimoto Raider-Cetelem team.