Ulster biking dynasty is hit by yet another fatal accident

THE death of William Dunlop yesterday is the latest tragedy to befall his family and the sport of road racing.

Ten years ago, while practising for the North West 200 outside Portrush, his dad Robert’s engine seized and he died from his injuries.

William’s uncle Joey Dunlop, winner of 26 TT races across the most decorated of careers, was killed in Estonia in July 2000.

After winning two races that day, then aged 48, he was leading a 125cc race when his bike left the road and crashed into a tree. He died instantly.

Joey was the third of four members of the famed Armoy Armada to lose their life on a motorbike.

Frank Kennedy died in a Superbike race at the NW200 in

1979 while

Mervyn

Robinson was fatally wounded the following year on the same stretch of road which would claim the life of Robert Dunlop 28 years later.

Only Jim Dunlop of that esteemed collective is still alive.

Since 1910, there have been 270 deaths recorded at the Isle of Man TT races, most recently Adam Lyon, from Scotland, last month.

Northern Ireland’s death toll from the sport is significant, including Enniskillen rider Richard Britton whose bike seized up and he was fatally injured in a race in Co Kerry in 2005.

Last year, Jamie Hodson and Dario Cecconi died in separate crashes at the Ulster Grand

Prix and Tandragee 100 respectively while the NW200’s most recent tragedy came when Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, 20, was killed in 2016.

Racing at the Skerries 100 will go ahead today – with the Dunlop family’s blessing.

A spokesman said: “We hope to get as much support as possible as a fitting tribute to William.” It is believed the prize fund from the event will be donated to his grieving family.

TRUE LEGEND Joey Dunlop was killed in 2000