TWO riders are in a critical condition following separate crashes at the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle racing event in Dundrod which claimed the life of 35-year-rider Jamie Hodson.
Hodson from Wigan, Greater Manchester, was racing the Dundrod 150 National road race in Co Antrim on Thursday when the collision happened at the Joey's Windmill section of the circuit.
His brother Rob was also injured during the race.
The race was stopped and the siblings rushed to hospital for treatment, but 35 year-old Jamie died in hospital on Thursday night.
Rob was discharged and reported not to be seriously hurt.
The crash came the day after 36-year-old Stephen Lynd, from Templepatrick, Co Antrim, was left critically ill after a crash during a practice session on Wednesday.
A third serious accident, also on Thursday led to the Dundrod 150 Challenge being abandoned.
Gavin Lupton from Otley in West Yorkshire was injured after a crash during the race.
Jamie Hodson, a welder by trade, was an experienced rider and the reigning Manx GP Supertwins champion as well as achieving a top-10 finish in the Isle of Man TT Lightweight race.
His final tweet was made on Sunday when he shared his sympathy with the friends and family of fellow racer Mark Fincham who was killed in a crash during a race at Thruxton circuit in England.
Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, which organised the Ulster Grand Prix, confirmed the accident happened at the Joey's Windmill section of the circuit.
"The Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club would like to express its sincere condolences to Jamie's family and friends and requests that their privacy is respected at this difficult time," it said.
Lisburn and Castlereagh mayor Tim Morrow also passed on his sympathy to the dead rider's family.
"We are saddened by this news and our thoughts and prayers are with Jamie's family at this difficult time," he said.
"We are thinking of Jamie's family and friends, including his brother who is also a competitor, and send our deepest sympathies to the Hodson family."
The last person to be killed at Dundrod during the Ulster Grand Prix was 24-year-old Scottish racer Andy Lawson in 2015. In 2012, English racer Lee Vernon, also 24, died following injuries sustained during a Dundrod 150 collision in 2012.
The Ulster Grand Prix meeting concludes with Saturday's main day of racing at the circuit.
