A rider has been killed in an accident on the last day of Northern Ireland's North West 200 motorcycle road races.

He has been named as Mark Buckley from Loch Lomond in Scotland.

The 35-year-old came off his bike close to Millbank Avenue in Portstewart during the Superstock Race. He died in hospital on Saturday afternoon.

The director of the North West 200 event, Mervyn Whyte, said the organisers were "devastated" by the news of Mr Buckley's death.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jayne and we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire family circle," Mr Whyte added.




He said the organisers had worked hard to make safety a priority during the races and added the accident had happened on a high speed section of the course.

No other riders were involved in the incident.

Mr Buckley had been a regular competitor at the North West 200 event.

This year he was racing for the new Splitlath Redmond Racing team and had been due to compete for them at the TT races in the Isle of man in June.


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Such tragic news, and we are all so sorry to hear this.

Everyone at TTWebsite extends their sincerest condolences to Marks family and friends at this terribly sad time.

Our thoughts are with you.

R.I.P. Mark

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The Splitlath Redmond team is deeply saddened by the news that Mark Buckley has lost his life at the International North West 200 today.

Mark, 35, died in hospital following an accident during this afternoon’s Superstock race.

Mark joined the team last month to contest the Isle of Man TT and other road races. An experienced road racer, the North West 200 was one of his favourite events on the calendar.


Mark was a rider who always had a smile on his face and although he was new to the Splitlath Redmond outfit, he had already made a lot of friends within the team.

He was a man who was always positive, with an infectious sense of humour and a rider who cared deeply about his colleagues and others.

Mark will be missed by everyone at Splitlath Redmond and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jayne, his family and friends.

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Terrible news.

R.I.P Mark.