James Cowton dead: Road racer dies in four-rider crash at the Southern 100, aged 26

Ivan Lintin, who was also involved in the crash, is in a critical condition while Cowton’s death comes six days after the loss of Williams Dunlop in a tragic month for road racing

James Cowton suffered a fatal crash at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man, aged 26 (Facebook/James Cowton)

Yorkshire road race James Cowton has died after being involved in a four-rider accident at the Southern 100, aged 26.

Cowton came off his McAdoo Racing Kawasaki in an accident at Stadium Bends and succumbed to his injuries.

Ivan Lintin, the two-time Isle of Man TT winner, is in a critical condition after being flown to Liverpool for treatment in hospital. Two other riders, Jamie Coward and Mickey Evans, were involved in the crash, suffering should and leg and arm injuries respectively.

"The Southern 100 MCRC regret to announce that following an incident involving four competitors at Stadium Bends during the 600cc Challenge race, Driffield rider James Cowton succumbed to his injuries," read a statement from the event organisers.

"The other riders involved, Ivan Lintin is in a critical condition, whilst Jamie Coward has shoulder injuries and Mickey Evans leg and arm injuries.

"Southern 100 Racing extends its sincere condolences to family, relatives and friends of James Cowton at this very sad time.

Cowton was a three-time winner at the Southern 100 and also won the Ulster GP and NW 200 (Facebook/James Cowton)

"The organisers are carrying out a full investigation in conjunction with Isle of Man Constabulary into the circumstances of the incident on behalf of the Coroner of Inquests."

The fatality continues what has been a difficult season in road racing, with Williams Dunlop losing his life last Saturday in a crash at the Skerries 100 in Dublin. Dan Kneen and Adam Lyon were also killed in separate accident’s at the Isle of Man TT across May and June.

Cowton, from Duffield in Yorkshire, won the 250 Lightweight race at the Ulster Grand Prix four years ago and won the second Supertwin event at this year’s North West 200 event in Northern Ireland, having also won three previous races at the Southern 100 before this year’s tragic event.

He had a career-best position at the Isle of Man TT of third, which he secured in the 2014 Lightweight TT, and he competed at this year’s event, finishing six of his seven race entries with a best of fourth in the TT Zero.

Ivan Lintin is in a critical condition in hospital in Liverpool (www.iomtt.com)

Lintin’s Dafabet Devitt Racing team issued a short statement to provide an update on the Lincolnshire fireman’s condition, which read: "Ivan was involved in the incident in the final race at the S100.

"Ivan is in a critical condition and has been flown to Liverpool for further treatment. Thoughts are with James' family at this time and also Ivan's close friends and family."

Two-time Isle of Man TT winner Lintin is in a critical condition (www.iomtt.com)

A number of tributes were paid to Cowton, who was a popular member in the paddock among other riders. 23-time TT winner John McGuinness said on Twitter: “I really couldn’t find the right words to say when we lost William [Dunlop] then more terrible news about young James today. All can is I was there today watching the boys do what they do, loving every second. 2 super talented lads RIP fingers crossed for Ivan.

“We look so selfish at times, we just can’t help it, my thoughts and prayers are with family and friends tonight.”

Ian Hutchinson, a 16-time winner at the TT, said: “Very very sad year for road racing, been to watch today then to get this news again, it’s a tough sport to be involved in at these times, really thinking of everyone involved.”

TT lap-record holder Peter Hickman added: “Absolutely shocking week for bike racing. First WD [William Dunlop],now to hear the news of Kyle O’Donovan succumbing to his injuries from Brands and James Cowton yesterday at the Southern 100. RIP boys, thoughts with all your family and friends. Thoughts are also with the other riders involved.”