Inquest opens into deaths of pair killed during Southern 100

Alan Connor and William Clarke died during incident on 11 July

The inquests into the death of two people killed at the Southern 100 have been opened at Douglas Courthouse today (21 July).

William (Liam) Clarke and Alan Connor died following an incident in qualifying, on the Castletown bypass, on 11 July. 

Competitor Mr Connor, who was 50 and from County Meath in Ireland, suffered multiple injuries after sustaining blunt force trauma caused by multiple impacts with ‘roadside structures’. 

The court was told the engineer was formally identified by a police inspector, three days later, via his identification ‘dog tags’ and his personalised leathers. 

Southern 100 organisers had also confirmed to the Isle of Man Constabulary that he was the only racer who hadn’t returned from the final lap of the Tuesday practice session. 

Sixty-six-year-old Mr Clarke, a marshal from Wigan who was volunteering at the event on the Billown Circuit, suffered head, spinal and chest injuries as a result of multiple blunt force trauma. 

Coroner of Inquests James Brooks extended his condolences to the families of both men and released their bodies so that funeral arrangements can take place. 

Investigations into both deaths are continuing and the inquests have been adjourned to a date to be set. 

Paying tribute to Mr Clarke and Mr Connor after the fatal collision Southern 100 organisers said the loss of both men was ‘felt deeply amongst the racing community’. 

In a statement they added: “The Southern 100 Road Racing Club pass on their deepest sympathy to Alan and Liam’s families, loved ones and friends.”

This year's Southern 100 event was called off as a result of the fatalities.