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| Minister wants race death report | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has asked for an "urgent report" on the death of a spectator at the Armoy road races on Saturday. | |
| Hill McCook Snr, 75, was watching the race from a raised bank when he was hit by a motorcycle which had crashed on the Ballycastle Road. | Hill McCook Snr, 75, was watching the race from a raised bank when he was hit by a motorcycle which had crashed on the Ballycastle Road. |
| The rider and a second spectator were also hurt. | |
| Mr McCausland also expressed his sympathy to the family and friends of Mr McCook. | |
| The minister said: "This fatal accident is devastating news for all involved in the Armoy races and I am very saddened by this news. | |
| "I have asked my officials to urgently prepare a report on the accident at Armoy races for my attention." | |
| 'Freak accident' | |
| Mr McCausland's department has committed substantial funding for safety improvements in motorsport in recent years. | |
| In 2007/08, £100,000 was awarded for safety improvements at motorsport venues and in 2008/09 a further £100,000 was made available. | |
| Mr McCook's son said his father's death was a "freak accident". | |
| It happened on the Dean's Rise part of the course during the second lap of the Grand Final race at about 1630 BST. | It happened on the Dean's Rise part of the course during the second lap of the Grand Final race at about 1630 BST. |
| Alexander McCook said his father had been watching from "the safest part of the course". | Alexander McCook said his father had been watching from "the safest part of the course". |
| Mr McCook said the safety of the course had been "100%" and family were "holding nobody at fault". | Mr McCook said the safety of the course had been "100%" and family were "holding nobody at fault". |
| "We would not want this to hang over the Armoy motor racing club and would like the race to continue next year," he said. | "We would not want this to hang over the Armoy motor racing club and would like the race to continue next year," he said. |
| "Unfortunately my dad is not going to be there, but hopefully I will." | "Unfortunately my dad is not going to be there, but hopefully I will." |
| Clerk of the course, Bill Kennedy, said Armoy Motorcycle and Road Racing Club were "devastated" by the death. | |
| "A full investigation is being carried out jointly by the PSNI and Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre). | "A full investigation is being carried out jointly by the PSNI and Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre). |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the family at this sad time." | "Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the family at this sad time." |
| The Armoy road races were being staged for the first time. | The Armoy road races were being staged for the first time. |