'SLEEPING WITH THE FAIRIES'
Isle of Man TT racer Daley Mathison dies in 130mph superbike crash, aged 27
ENGLISH road racer Daley Mathison has died at the age of 27 after a 130mph crash at the Isle of Man TT.
The horror incident came at a tight left-hand bend on lap three at Snugborough on the approach to Union Mills during the RST Superbike race.
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A road race expert who was at the event though did not witness the crash said that if Mathison was cruising at usual pace at the turn, it would have been "between 120mph-130mph".
The race on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course was immediately red-flagged and an air ambulance arrived to the scene where Mathison was taken to hospital, but sadly died.
His wife posted a moving tribute on the Stockton-on-Tees motor-racer's Twitter page on the devastating news.
She wrote: "Not something I ever wanted to write but here we go.
"Daley, as Daisy says, is now sleeping with the fairies.
"That’s all I can bring myself to say right now.
"The last image I saw of my husband, was of a man so happy with life and so proud of his racing."
A has been set up to raise money for Daley's wife and young daughter, with £25,000 the aim.
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WIFE'S MOVING TRIBUTE
Penz13.com BMW rider Mathison was competing in his sixth Isle of Man TT after making his debut in 2014.
He finished second in the Zero Race in 2018 and third in both 2016 and 2017.
The tributes flooded in on social media once the shocking news broke - with legendary motorbiker Carl Fogarty one of the first to post.
The 53-year-old wrote: "Sad to hear of the death of Daley Mathison in today’s TT superbike race.
"Thoughts are with family and friends."
Chris Days posted: Absolutely gutted to read about @DaleyMathison today, met him a number of times and was a real talent in road racing... he will be missed ... RIP."
Jedi Marshal wrote: "Totally and utterly gutted for a wonderful family RIP".
Carwyn Jones posted that his "thoughts are with friends and family".
RACING SINCE 12
Les Briscoe added that his "heart goes out" to his wife, while scores of others described it as "heartbreaking".
The race he was competing in was immediately red-flagged, with the result being declared on the lap two times.
Race organisers the ACU released a lengthy statement that read: "ACU Events Ltd regrets to confirm that Daley Mathison, 27, from Stockton on Tees, Durham was killed in an incident during the Superbike race today at the Isle of Man TT Races.
"The accident occurred at Snugborough, just over two miles into the course, on the third lap of the race.
"Daley was an experienced competitor and was seeded 19th for today's race.
"ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Daley's wife Natalie, his family and friends."
FULL STATEMENT FROM RACE ORGANISERS ACU
"ACU Events Ltd regrets to confirm that Daley Mathison, 27, from Stockton on Tees, Durham was killed in an incident during the Superbike race today at the Isle of Man TT Races.
"The accident occurred at Snugborough, just over two miles into the course, on the third lap of the race.
"Daley was an experienced competitor and was seeded 19th for today's race.
"He made his Mountain Course debut in the 2013 Manx Grand Prix Newcomers A Race, finishing fifth.
"His TT career included three consecutive podiums in the TT Zero electric bike Race in 2016, 2017 and 2018 including the runner up position in the race last year, representing Nottingham University.
"He also achieved an 11th place finish in last year's Superstock Race and a pair of 13th place finishes in the 2017 and 2018 Senior TT Races.
"He set his fastest lap of the Mountain Course - 128.054mph - in the 2018 Superstock race which made him the 34th fastest rider of all time. He set the second fastest TT Zero lap ever with lap of 119.294mph in the 2018 race.
"In total he started 19 TT Races with 14 finishes and 3 podiums and won 6 silver and 8 bronze replicas
"ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Daley's wife Natalie, his family and friends."
Mathison started racing at the age of 12, according to the , and had helped students in his native North East with their motor racing ambitions.
Last year two racers lost their lives in the Isle of Man TT.
Local man Dan Kneen lost his life in the Superbike TT qualifying and Adam Lyon was killed during the Monster Energy Supersport 1 race.
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There was also one death in the classic race, 62-year-old Alan "Bud" Johnson crashed out and died in a practice session.
He was a 30-year veteran of the world famous road race.
In total 258 riders have been killed at the event since it began back in 1911.
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