Misadventure verdict at Southern 100 inquest

Coroner of Inquests John Needham has returned a verdict of misadventure into the death of a Southern 100 racer.

Robert Leonard Paul Thomas, who was known as Paul, died on the last lap of the second sidecar race of this year’s meeting on the Billown Circuit on July 11.

The hearing at Douglas Courthouse this morning was told the 57-year-old gardener from Crossag Road in Ballasalla was a passenger for driver Nick Houghton.

As they jostled for position with the outfit of Darren Hope and Paul Bumfrey, Mr Thomas was thrown from his machine at Osborne’s corner.

The court heard Mr Hope missed a gear and Mr Houghton had tried to steer around the machine.

But the two clipped each other, Mr Houghton’s machine clipped the kerb and Mr Thomas was thrown from the chair.

He was treated at the scene by marshals and paramedics but died at Noble’s Hospital from multiple injuries.

Mr Needham said motorcycle racing was inherently dangerous and Mr Thomas had died as a result of misadventure.