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London - Motorcyclist Alan Bonner is the latest rider to be killed in the 2017 Isle of Man TT series, following the deaths of riders Jochem van den Hoek and Davey Lambert earlier in June.
Lambert died on Tuesday (June 6) following injuries he sustained during the Superbike race on Sunday (June 4). Van Den Hoek was killed in a crash during a Superstock race on Wednesday, (June 7) while similarity, Bonner suffered fatal injuries after crashing at the 33rd 'Milestone on the Mountain' section also on Wednesday.
Organisers issued statements regarding all three killed riders.
On Lambert's passing, the group said: "ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to his partner Tracey, his family and friends."
Following Van den Hoek's death: "ACU Events Ltd regrets to announce that Jochem van den Hoek, 28, from Werkendam in Holland, was killed this morning during the Superstock race at the Isle of Man TT Races. Jochem had an accident at the 11th Milestone on the 1st lap of the race and was treated at the scene.
"ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Jochem’s family and friends."
Regarding Bonner: "ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on its deepest sympathy to Alan’s partner Gemma and his family and friends."
Reader Fiona Craig comments: "It's an amazing race but the number of deaths is so incredibly high in comparison to Moto GP. There has to be something very wrong. Safety factors need to be seriously re-looked and also perhaps the rider standard?"
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Three killed riders
Lambert made his Mountain Course debut at the Manx Grand Prix in 2014, finishing fourth in the Newcomers A race and 24th in the Junior Manx Grand Prix of the same year. He returned to the Manx Grand Prix in 2015 and recorded 9th and 11th place finishes in the Junior and Senior MGP respectively and was 8th in the 2017 Senior MGP Race.
Jochem made his TT mountain course debut in 2016, recording a 44th placed finish in his debut race, the Superbike TT as well as 34th placed finish in the Superstock race in the same year and a 36th place in the 2016 Senior TT.
Bonner was a regular competitor at Irish national road races and was Irish road race Senior Support champion in 2010.
The Irishman made his TT debut in 2015, placing a personal best of 15th in the senior race.
Deadly series
Between 1907 and 2016 there have been 251 fatalities. In 2016, 5 riders died on the course during official practices or races. There were six fatalities in the 1970 Isle of Man TT, making it the deadliest year in the history of the event.