Motorcyclist killed on runway of airfield

AN inquest in the Isle of Man has heard how a young Irishman died while motorcycling on the runway of an airfield on the island last June.

Eamonn Kelly, 29, from Navan, Co Meath, was killed after he was involved in a 60mph crash which happened at Jurby Airfield near Ramsey on June 6.

The keen motorcycling fan had travelled to the Isle of Man with friends on holiday to watch the island’s famous TT races.

The inquest heard that the manager of a karting track based at the airfield had notified Isle of Man police the day before the accident that illicit bikers had been racing on the airstrip.

Officials from the island’s Department of Transport were also contacted as they were responsible for a damaged fence through which the bikers were gaining access to the airfield.

The chief executive of the department Alan Bell defended its decision not to repair the hole during the weekend as a temporary repair would not have kept out determined trespassers.

Mr Bell said the gap in the fence had probably been created deliberately to gain entry to the airfield. However, Mr Bell expressed condolences to Mr Kelly’s family at their sad loss.

“We have to deal with tragedies relating to the TT most years unfortunately and this one at the airfield on department property is even more distressing.”

Mr Kelly died instantly after his Honda motorbike was hit from behind by another rider. Isle of Man coroner Michael Moyle recorded Mr Kelly’s death as accidental.