British superbike rider Daniel Hegarty has died after a horrific crash in the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The 31-year-old from Nottingham was on his Topgun Racing Honda when he lost control on a sharp bend during the sixth lap.
Hegarty was thrown from his bike into crash barriers. Eyewitnesses said he suffered mortal injuries after losing his helmet.
Daniel Hegarty, pictured, crashed during the sixth lap of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix and died shortly afterwards after suffering horrific injuries from colliding with a barrier
Hegarty, 31, from Nottingham, was taking part in his second Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
Hegarty’s girlfriend Lucy Draycott told her followers on Facecbook she was heartbroken
The race was immediately stopped as medics battled to treat Hegarty’s injuries on the side of the track.
He died on his way to the hospital.
A statement from the race organisers on Twitter read: ‘The Macau Grand Prix Committee extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Daniel.’
They added in a separate statement: ‘Daniel’s family and team have been contacted, and the committee will ensure every assistance is extended to them.’
Hegarty, from Nottingham, who was a regular at the Isle of Man TT, had tweeted on Friday: ‘Positive Q2 jumped from 19th to 15th with much more competitive times. Really thankful to the @TopgunRacing1 team for their hard work. Bike is much easier to ride now.’
He was taking part in his second Macau Grand Prix after finishing 16th last year.
Northern Ireland’s Glenn Irwin was announced the winner after the race was stopped on the sixth lap.
Macau has been hosting the street race for cars and motorbikes since 1954.
Hegarty was the first rider to die at the event since Portugal’s Luis Carreira was killed in qualifying for the 2012 race.
Ms Draycott, pictured with the superbike rider, right, said the love of her life has passed away
Hegarty, left, was a regular at the Isle of Man TT races which are held on a road circuit
Organisers cancelled the race immediately following the horrific crash
According to the BBC, organisers awarded the race to Irwin, although there were no anthems or champagne on the podium.
Speaking afterwards, the winner said it ‘was not a celebration’.
He added: ‘It’s a very sad end to what has been a successful week. The win is all irrelevant now and I wouldn’t have won the race had it gone the distance.
‘It’s a tragic end to the day. That’s road racing and it’s tough.’
Hegarty’s girlfriend Lucy Draycott expressed her heartbreak on Facebook claiming she had lost ‘the love of my life’.
Ms Draycott from East Bridgford said: ‘It is with a broken heart to tell you that the love of my life passed away this morning.
‘I just need time to take in what has happened and would appreciate if people could just be patient with me and wait for contact.’