Northern Ireland

Malachi Mitchell-Thomas: bikers pay last respects at funeral

Malachi Mitchell Thomas lost his life in a crash on Saturday May 14 at the North West 200. Picture from Pacemaker
Malachi Mitchell Thomas lost his life in a crash on Saturday May 14 at the North West 200. Picture from Pacemaker Malachi Mitchell Thomas lost his life in a crash on Saturday May 14 at the North West 200. Picture from Pacemaker

SEVERAL hundred motorcycles lined the funeral route yesterday for 20-year-old rider Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, killed at this year's North West 200.

The English rider, from Adlington in Lancashire, died during racing on May 14 - the fifth death at the circuit in eight years. He was racing for Cookstown-based team Burrows Engineering Kawasaki when he came off his bike on the third lap of the Supertwins race.

Around 200 motorcycles and sports cars followed behind the hearse and cortege for the eight mile journey to Charnock Richard Crematorium where the funeral service was held yesterday afternoon.

Accompanying the procession were Lancashire Constabulary and North West Blood Bikes.

The young rider, who had been compared to biking personality Guy Martin, had been lauded as a future star of the sport.

Malachi's father Kevin Thomas will be scattering his son's ashes on the course of the Isle of Man TT, which starts this coming weekend.

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Ryan Farquhar remains "seriously ill" in the Royal Victoria Hospital after being re-admitted to intensive care on Sunday, the Belfast Trust said last night. The Dungannon rider, a five time winner at the NW200, crashed on May 12 suffering serious chest and injuries.

His condition had appeared to have improved but worsened over the weekend.