Dad and son killed in TT ‘dream race
Family’s tributes after sidecar horror
A DEVASTATED family paid tribute last night to a father and son killed in a 100mph-plus bike smash at the Isle of Man TT races.
Roger and Bradley Stockton died when their sidecar combination crashed at the infamous hilly Ago’s Leap section of the course.
Veteran Roger, 46, was riding in his 20th TT race while sidecar passenger Bradley, 21, was enjoying the thrill of his first TT week.
In a tribute on social media yesterday Roger’s niece Rachel Stockton said: “Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to express how our family are feeling right now.
“Not only to lose one member of the family but two in the same incident has absolutely shocked us to the core.
“Roger and Brad absolutely loved racing, it was their dream to race the TT together. They achieved 8th in the first race and what a proud moment that was.”
Incredible
Speaking earlier, lorry driver Roger, of Crewe, Cheshire, who had won trophies in UK mainland races with his son over five years, said: “I’ve retired a few times before but always come back for my love of the sport. Going around the course with my own flesh and blood will be incredible.”
The pair were on the final lap of the TT week’s second sidecar race when they crashed on Friday. Their deaths bring the number of TT rider fatalities this year to five, the worst toll since 2014.
On Monday they were eighth in the first sidecar race rescheduled from last Saturday after a French rider was killed at Ago’s Leap. His sidecar man is critically ill in Liverpool Aintree hospital.
Roger’s bosses at Crewe haulage firm Cooper Buckley said: “Roger has been a part of the Cooper Buckley family for over 20 years and he’ll leave a huge hole in the company.”
Car firm ABP Motorsport, where Bradley worked, said: “He was funny, brave, annoying, loved, brilliant, handsome and had his whole life ahead of him.
“He left us alongside his father pursuing a dream that brought both glory and danger.”
The TT (Tourist Trophy) races take place on the island’s public roads and are among the world’s most dangerous sporting events.
A spokesman said: “The TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Roger and Bradley’s families, loved ones, and friends.”
To lose two members has shocked our family
to the core
homeland after family members threatened her life. Ali said: “Six days ago, they gave me a letter saying I’m being moved to Rwanda. I feel so stressed and scared and mentally very bad. Sometimes I feel suicidal.
“I’m being treated like a criminal, not a refugee. At 9pm each night, they lock the doors on our rooms and they don’t open again until 8am.
“The situation is very bad in here. Two or three people try to kill themselves every day.
“My wife can’t eat or sleep because she is so worried about me. Her mental health is very bad. She has lost a lot of weight because of the stress and
anxiety. I don’t know why Priti Patel is discriminating against Iranians when Ukrainians are being allowed in. Are only Ukrainians human? Priti Patel’s policy is very foolish.”
Clare Moseley, of Care4calais, said: “Hearing the stories of people who will be sent to Rwanda is enough to give you nightmares. The plan is brutal.
“Given the more humane options available, is this really what we as a compassionate country want to do?”prominent
Rwandan politician Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza also hit out at the Home Office policy, saying refugees deported to Rwanda will face serious threats.
She said: “The government of Rwanda is known as a government that doesn’t respect human rights. It is unheard of that a democratic country like the UK has failed to take on her responsibility and decided to put the burden on a developing and non-democratic country like Rwanda.” Ms Umuhoza, chair of Rwanda’s Development and Liberty For All Party, stood in the 2010 presidential elections and was later jailed for alleged politically motivated crimes, which she denied.
She said: “The claim that Rwanda will provide economic opportunities for migrants is a lie.
“Unemployment among youth is persistent, the human capital development of Rwanda is very low, the private sector of the country remains small and poverty is persistent.”
Jean-claude Ntezimana, of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, said there was already “a lot of conflict and competition for natural resources” within the existing population.
And human rights activist John William Ntwari said: “The Rwandan government went into this deal for two things. One is becoming close to the British government, meaning Kagame [Rwanda’s President] will no longer be held accountable for his human rights excesses. The money and rewards involved are other factors.
“What the British government should be doing is to help Rwandans achieve democracy instead of sending people running away from dictators in their countries to Rwanda.”
Why is Patel against Iranians
but letting in Ukrainians?