Third competitor dies following Southern 100 incident

A third competitor died following an incident during the Sidecar race at the Southern 100 meeting yesterday.

Sidecar passenger Paul Thomas, from Ballasalla on the Isle of Man, was fatally injured in the accident at Osborne's on the final lap of the race.

Mr Thomas was married and had a daughter.

The organisers cancelled the remaining two races as a result.

An official statement said: 'Paul was an experienced Sidecar passenger and had competed previously and won on the Southern 100 course.

'Away from being the 'ballast' in the sidecar outfit, ridden by Nick Houghton, he was a hard-working member of the Southern 100 Racing organisation and a great friend to all connected with the sport of motorcycle road racing.

'Southern 100 Racing extends its sincere condolences to families, relatives and friends at this very sad time'.

Earlier in the day, 23-year-old Mark Madsen-Mygdal died after an incident in the Supersport B event.

The young competitor, from Douglas, is the son of experienced road racer Dave Madsen-Mygdal.

David Dukes (46), also from Douglas, died in a crash on the approach to Ballakeighan corner during practice for the Supersport class on Monday.

The organisers are investigating the causes of the accidents.