A CHAMPION motorbike rider, who had topped leader boards during the early stages of this year's Isle of Man TT, died in an accident after appearing to be dazzled by the sun.

Mick Lofthouse, 28, from Dudley Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, lost control of his 250cc Yamaha near Pinfold Cottage on a stretch of the circuit at Milntown.

The popular rider, who was tipped to be one of the TT's winners, suffered major head and facial injuries.

Coroner of Inquests Andrew Williamson recorded a verdict of misadventure and expressed his deepest sympathy to Mick's family.

The inquest heard that Mick crashed during Friday morning practices at the event earlier this month.

Mick, who was brought up in the Accrington area, was a vastly experienced rider who knew the course well, his brother John told the hearing.

Stephen Radcliffe, a marshal at Pinfold Cottage, said the roads were dry and the weather good but the sun was so bright that one or two riders seemed to be affected by it.

He said he saw Mick's number four machine approach on a good line but he suddenly sat up.

The machine veered sharply and hit the kerb, the rider's helmet came off and he cartwheeled down the road as his machine went through a hedge into a field.

Mr Radcliffe said he believed Mick had been distracted or dazzled by the sun and other marshals backed up his view.

Dr James McCrory, who arrived at the scene by helicopter, said Mick had suffered multiple injuries consistent with a high-speed crash.

Auto Cycle Union chief scrutineer Hector Gordon said the Honda bike had passed all tests, as had Mick's helmet and leathers.

He examined the bike after the accident and found nothing which was likely to have caused the crash.

Mick's death came on the same day as that of New Zealander Robert Holden, who crashed on another part of the course.

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