The former Isle of Man TT winner Robert Dunlop died last night after a crash during a practice race in Northern Ireland. The brother of the legendary Joey Dunlop, who was killed in a similar accident in Estonia in 2000, suffered chest injuries during the 160mph accident - tumbling over the handlebars - and was rushed to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, where he died shortly after 10pm.

Mervyn Whyte, the clerk of the course at the North West 200, said: "Robert was one of Northern Ireland's best known and most experienced riders who will always be remembered for his infectious personality and love for road racing.Our thoughts and prayers are with his family." Another Northern Ireland rider, Darren Burns, suffered a suspected broken leg and concussion in the accident but was said to be stable in hospital.