Isle of Man TT admit naming WRONG man after rider killed as Cesar Chanal is identified as victim and not Olivier Lavorel

ISLE OF MAN TT officials have confirmed a case of "mistaken identity" led to them declaring the wrong rider dead following a crash during last weekend's festival.

On Saturday, organisers announced Olivier Lavorel had died following a crash at Ago's Leap during the first lap of the sidecar race on the Mountain Course.

Driver Cesar Chanal was said to have survived and was in critical condition in hospital.

But now they have released a statement claiming they had confused the pair - naming the wrong man as dead.

They have now confirmed Chanal has tragically passing away at the scene while passenger Lavorel remains in hospital for treatment.

In the shock statement, organisers said: "An initial identification procedure was conducted using established procedures and would appear to have resulted in a mistaken identification.

"We now believe it was Cesar Chanal who died at the scene of the accident on Saturday 4th June.

"Olivier remains in a critical condition and continues to receive treatment.

"Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of both Olivier and Cesar at this truly devastating time.

"We ask that people do not speculate on social media."

The statement added the families of both Lavorel and Chanal have been informed of the shocking update.

Organisers added a "thorough review of the processes relating to the identification of competitors will take place in due course".

Following the horror crash - less than a mile from the start line - the event was red-flagged for the day, meaning all races were abandoned.

The race was Lavorel and Chanal's first at the Isle of Man TT festival.

However, the pair are experienced in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships - securing several podium finishes.

Two other racers have died during the controversial festival.

Welsh rider Mark Purslow died following a crash in practice last week.

And Northern Irish racer Davy Morgan suffered fatal injuries following an incident on Monday.