People from the world of broadcasting and motorcycling have paid tribute to Clive McNeil who died in a motorcycle crash in the island.

Mr McNeil was a motorcycle racing commentator for the television sports network Eurosport and specialised in reporting on an event called the Endurance World Championship in which both motorcycles and riders are put to the test in races lasting from eight hours to 24 hours.

injuries

Police said the 67-year-old died of his injuries at the scene of the crash in the area of the grandstand at Hillberry.

Officers added that they do not believe any other person or vehicle were involved and the matter will be reported to the Coroner of Inquests.

The incident happened between 4.45am and 5am on Friday and police are requesting anyone who may have seen a single motorcycle rider in the area around that time or may have witnessed the incident to contact DC Lewis Cassidy in CID on 631212.

The road was closed between Cronk Ny Mona and the Creg Ny Baa for several hours for investigations.

TV commentator Steve Parrish, who has strong links with the island and the TT, said on Twitter: ’Very sad news. RIP fella.’

And also on Twitter freelance commentator Tom Gaymor said: ’I’ve commentated with Clive for many years, he was such an integral part of Eurosport’s EWC commentary team, I’m absolutely gutted, broken heart. Thinking of you mate.’

According to his Linkedin account Mr McNeil provided ’emergency cover’ for Manx Radio over the last three years.

Manx Radio managing director Chris Sully told the Examiner that Mr McNeil was a ’really nice friendly can-do person’.

He added: ’This has been a real shock to us all at the station.’

He said whenever he was called in to work on a show he could always be counted on to be professional.

energy

Manx Radio presenter/producer Marc Tyley called it devastating news and said: ’Thinking of his family and all his friends around the world. His boundless energy, lust for life both on-air and in everything he did will never be forgotten. Farewell to a wonderful true friend.’

Mr Tyley said he had known Mr McNeil since the mid-80s when they worked in Hong Kong.

Manx Radio released this statement: ’All of us were deeply saddened to hear that our colleague Clive McNeil had died suddenly yesterday.

’Clive first worked with us providing commentary and reports on the Isle of Man Cyclefest event in 2016. Since then, he presented the Late Show on a number of occasions, along with several other Manx Radio programmes.

’Clive also worked for many other radio stations around the world, most notably BFBS (forces radio) in Hong Kong. His love of motorsport led him to work as a commentator on a number of motor racing events for Eurosport.

’A huge music fan, his enormous passion for so many different genres of music really shone through - and his sense of fun and boundless energy will be sorely missed.

’All of us at Manx Radio send our thoughts and sincere condolences to Clive’s family and friends.’

There was a tribute to Mr McNeil, who lived in Onchan, during Sunday’s World Superbikes event in Spain.