Rider and two spectators killed in Isle of Man TT race

Dean Adrian Jacob, 33, a security engineer from Kidderminster was confirmed dead at the scene.

Gregory John Kenzig, 52, a retired engineer from Queensland, Australia was confirmed dead after admission at Nobles hospital.

A third man, father-of-two Marc Ramsbotham, 34, from Wymondham, Norfolk, who was racing a motorbike in the TT trials, also died at the scene.

Two marshals, Hilary Beryl Musson, 60, from Ballaugh, Isle of Man and Janice Ann Phillips, 50, from Ramsey, Isle of Man, were also involved in the incident, north of Ramsay, at about lunchtime on Friday during the mountain section of the race.

Ms Phillips is described as stable while Ms Musson's condition is reported to be critical.

Today neighbours of motorcyclist Mr Ramsbotham said he had grown up in the Norfolk area and was well known for his love of racing.

He had been racing for nearly 10 years as a semi-professional and in May produced a trophy-winning display at the Scarborough Festival of Speed - a race held on public roads in North Yorkshire.

But it was the first time he had competed in the famous TT trials.

Earlier this year Mr Ramsbotham - who rode a 2005 Honda CBR600RR - said his main aim for the 2007 season was to compete in the Isle of Man TT Races for the first time.

He outlined his aims on a website which today carried the "devastating" news of his death and the message: "RIP Rammy".

The website said Mr Ramsbotham had been racing motorcycles since 1998 and was sponsored by a local steel firm.

During his career he had suffered a number of injuries in crashes, including a broken neck, shoulder and collarbone, fractured skull, the site added.

The Coroner of Inquests on the island has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is under way.

Adrian Earnshaw, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man government, commented: "Marc was a hugely popular figure in the paddock and will be greatly missed.

"We'd like to extend our deepest sympathy to Marc's family as well as the families of the spectators and marshals involved in this tragic accident."

Mr Ramsbotham is understood to have come off his powerful bike and crashed into spectators while negotiating bends on the mountainous country roads around Milestone 26.

Riders in the trials routinely reach speeds of up to 140mph during the road race.

Earlier this week a motorcyclist was injured and is still in hospital in a critical condition. Despite regular fatalities and calls for the racing to be banned, this year's meeting was the centenary of the TT.