Menu
10/08/2009
Race Death Tragedy Probed
A motorcycle road race event that was being staged for the first time has ended in tragedy.
A spectator, Hill McCook Snr, aged 75, was watching the race from an apparently safe raised bank when he was hit by a motorcycle which had crashed on the Ballycastle Road.
It happened on the Dean's Rise part of the course during the second lap of the Grand Final race at about 4.30pm.
Horrified spectators watched as the bike left the road, crashing into a tree before hitting Mr McCook.
The rider of the motorcycle that crashed and a second spectator were also hurt. Their injuries were not serious.
The victim - a keen racing fan - lived in Armoy and came from a large family, which is well known in the north Antrim area. He was the youngest in a family of 21 children.
It emerged today that Mr McCook's son, Alex, who was also attending the inaugural 'Armoy Armada' road-racing event holds no ill feeling.
"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."
However, a local MLA has backed a full investigation into the incident.
As the PSNI and Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) yesterday began an inquiry into the crash, North Antrim SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said it was another tragedy for the sport.
"Motorcycle racing on ordinary roads is inherently dangerous," he said.
"There must be a full and transparent inquiry into what happened at Armoy.
"We need to know if such an accident can be prevented and ensure, as far as possible, that nothing like this happens again," he said.
The Mayor of Ballymoney Council, Alderman Frank Campbell, commented: "It's very sad news. My thoughts go out to the dead man's family."
Mr McCook was at the racing event with his friend, Raymond McMullan, who was also injured in the same incident - but was released from hospital yesterday.
Both men were watching the racing at the Dean's Rise part of the course, a perceived safe viewing point given that is 15 feet above road level.
DUP MLA Mervyn Storey, who also knew the retired labourer well, described Mr McCook as "one of life's characters".
"He always had a smile and a welcome and would never have gone past you without stopping for a chat," he said.
"I would extend my sincere sympathy to the family and assure them of our thoughts and prayers at this trying time."
The Stormont Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has both expressed his sympathy to the family and friends of the victim and set up an investigation.
"I have asked my officials to urgently prepare a report on the accident at Armoy races for my attention," he said, today.
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Hill McCook.
"This fatal accident is devastating news for all involved in the Armoy races and I am very saddened by this news," he commented.
(BMcC/JM)
A spectator, Hill McCook Snr, aged 75, was watching the race from an apparently safe raised bank when he was hit by a motorcycle which had crashed on the Ballycastle Road.
It happened on the Dean's Rise part of the course during the second lap of the Grand Final race at about 4.30pm.
Horrified spectators watched as the bike left the road, crashing into a tree before hitting Mr McCook.
The rider of the motorcycle that crashed and a second spectator were also hurt. Their injuries were not serious.
The victim - a keen racing fan - lived in Armoy and came from a large family, which is well known in the north Antrim area. He was the youngest in a family of 21 children.
It emerged today that Mr McCook's son, Alex, who was also attending the inaugural 'Armoy Armada' road-racing event holds no ill feeling.
"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."
However, a local MLA has backed a full investigation into the incident.
As the PSNI and Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) yesterday began an inquiry into the crash, North Antrim SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said it was another tragedy for the sport.
"Motorcycle racing on ordinary roads is inherently dangerous," he said.
"There must be a full and transparent inquiry into what happened at Armoy.
"We need to know if such an accident can be prevented and ensure, as far as possible, that nothing like this happens again," he said.
The Mayor of Ballymoney Council, Alderman Frank Campbell, commented: "It's very sad news. My thoughts go out to the dead man's family."
Mr McCook was at the racing event with his friend, Raymond McMullan, who was also injured in the same incident - but was released from hospital yesterday.
Both men were watching the racing at the Dean's Rise part of the course, a perceived safe viewing point given that is 15 feet above road level.
DUP MLA Mervyn Storey, who also knew the retired labourer well, described Mr McCook as "one of life's characters".
"He always had a smile and a welcome and would never have gone past you without stopping for a chat," he said.
"I would extend my sincere sympathy to the family and assure them of our thoughts and prayers at this trying time."
The Stormont Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has both expressed his sympathy to the family and friends of the victim and set up an investigation.
"I have asked my officials to urgently prepare a report on the accident at Armoy races for my attention," he said, today.
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr Hill McCook.
"This fatal accident is devastating news for all involved in the Armoy races and I am very saddened by this news," he commented.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
Other News In Brief
Two Arrested After Dangerous Driving Incident In North Belfast Two men have been arrested following a dangerous driving incident in north Belfast in the early hours of Monday, November 18th. The incident began on the Whitewell Road, where a car was observed driving erratically.
21 March 2024
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
17 May 2024
Alliance Calls For Urgent Race Relations Strategy
Alliance has called for the urgent implementation of a new Race Relations Strategy, following the news of a rise in race hate incidents. Spokespeople for the Executive Office, Paula Bradshaw, was speaking after figures were released by the PSNI and the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) in a recent report.
Alliance Calls For Urgent Race Relations Strategy
Alliance has called for the urgent implementation of a new Race Relations Strategy, following the news of a rise in race hate incidents. Spokespeople for the Executive Office, Paula Bradshaw, was speaking after figures were released by the PSNI and the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) in a recent report.
28 March 2014
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
03 September 2013
L'Derry Crew Begin World Yacht Race
The Derry-Londonderry-Doire entry in the world's longest ocean yacht race has been waved off from the banks of the Thames in London by a crowd of over 120,000 well-wishers.
L'Derry Crew Begin World Yacht Race
The Derry-Londonderry-Doire entry in the world's longest ocean yacht race has been waved off from the banks of the Thames in London by a crowd of over 120,000 well-wishers.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
