A POPULAR GP who died during a motorsports race in Co Down at the weekend is to be buried on Thursday.
Dr Paul Conn, from Lisburn, was competing in a race at the Kirkistown Racing Circuit on Saturday when the fatal crash happened.
A father-of-three and partner at Ballygomartin Group Practice in Belfast, Dr Conn (60) had just celebrated a win during the weekend race meeting.
Dr Conn was a member of the 500 Motor Racing Club.
A post-mortem was carried out yesterday.
Following a private burial, a celebration of Dr Conn's life will be held in Malone House in Belfast on Thursday at 2pm.
He is survived by his wife Jill and children Amy, Ben and Katie.
Dr Grainne Doran, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said she was stunned by the death.
"We are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Dr Paul Conn who has been a member of the Royal College of GPs for over 30 years," she said.
"We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife and three children and his wider family circle."
Dr Conn was a past pupil of Friends' School in Lisburn.
"It is with great sadness we have heard of the tragic news of the death of past pupil Dr Paul Conn in a race meeting at Kirkistown," a school spokesman said.
"Dr Paul Conn had been a past pupil and doctor with the school on numerous ski trips with many family links to Friends’ School. His friendly helpful manner meant so such to all. Thinking of all his family and friends at this time."
Meanwhile, police are not treating the death of a cyclist in Co Antrim as suspicious.
The man's body was found on the Straid Road in Bushmills on Saturday.
It is understood the man became unwell while cycling.
A PSNI spokesman said: "The death is not being treated as suspicious, pending the outcome of a post mortem."
Police confirmed yesterday that a post mortem had not yet been carried out.
