God bless him and my thought are with his family. A true great and a nicer man you could not meet.

Sad news confirmed by bbc Northern Ireland:

Motorcyclist Robert Dunlop has died after suffering severe chest injuries in a crash in Thursday's practice session at the North West 200.

Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion in the accident, but is said to be stable in hospital.

The accident happened in the 250cc qualifying as the riders approached the Mathers Cross Section of the course.

Dunlop's brother Joey was killed in a racing accident in Estonia in 2000.

The riders were travelling at speeds of about 160mph when the accident happened.

Dunlop's bike appeared to seize and he went over the handlebars.

He was rushed to the Causeway Hospital in nearby Coleraine, where he died from his injuries shortly after 2200 BST.

Burns was following behind and was unable to avoid hitting the Ballymoney rider.

Dunlop had sustained serious injuries in a crash at the Isle of Man TT in 1994, but he recovered and returned to action soon after.

'Nowhere to go'

Another Northern Ireland rider, Denver Robb, was behind both motorcyclists when the accident happened.

"Coming up to Mathers, Burns was leading and I was second, just sitting in his slipstream," he said.

"Then Robert - it was one of the Dunlops - came past me and as soon as he did he just shot off into Mathers and the bike seized. There was a puff of smoke and the bike locked up, she went sideways, and I think Robert must have grabbed the front brake.

"He went out over the top of the bike and landed on the road. Then Burnsy had nowhere to go and he clipped him and he went straight on."

Mervyn Whyte, clerk of course, said he was devastated by the death.

Robert was one of NI's best known and most experienced riders

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert's family and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Louise, children William, Daniel and Michael and wider family circle," he said.

"The MCUI (UC) - Motor Cycling Union of Ireland and PSNI are in the process of fully investigating the incident which happened during the 125, 250, 400 practice session on the first lap.

"The other rider involved in the incident is in a stable condition in hospital.

"Robert was one of Northern Ireland's best known and most experienced riders who will always been remembered for his infectious personality and love for road racing."

What awful news, just the worst possible.
My thoughts are with his family-but also with the whole racing community, who, like me, must feel that they have lost someone very close to them.
I am stunned and numb.

Obvioulsy the meeting will continue, but under the dsrkest of clouds, no matter what the weather.

Suddenly it doesn't seem so important who wins on Saturday..........

Have watched the live North West feed tonight, waiting for Olies 400 practice session, and then this awful, awful crash. Just sat in front of the screen praying that the news would be better, but knowing it didn't look good.Could not bring myself to believe that the worst was true.
Now typing this I am not ashamed to say that tears are running down my face.

R.I.P Robert, and god bless all the Dunlop family, my thoughts are truly with you.

Carole

I am absolutely gutted, Have watched road-racing for 30 years, I just cannot take in what has happened. I will never be near another race. My deepest sympathy to the whole Dunlop family.

carole ur not the only one. I feel just like i did when Joey was killed. Sad, sad day. Road racing has lost its Godfather.