The inquest into the deaths of racer Marc Ramsbotham and two
spectators - Dean Adrian Jacob from Kidderminster and Gregory John
Kenzig from Australia - during the 2007 Senior TT has finally started.
Two TT marshals were also badly injured in this tragic incident,
which took place at the 26th Milestone bend known as Joey’s on the
Mountain section of the course.
The first day’s evidence included video footage from a TV helicopter
showing the incident. Ramsbotham was seen to lose control after his
head hit a fence post on the inside of the Joey’s right-hander. His
bike then carried on up a steep embankment to mow down the spectators
and marshals. The spectators were standing in a restricted area.
However, the coroner was told that the signs to forbid spectators
from this zone were absent. And there was some confusion about who
was responsible for ensuring their presence - the signage contractor,
government workers (it was government land), the race organisers’
course maintenance workers or the marshals.
Isle of Man Coroner Michael Moyle’s verdict is expected by early next
week at the latest.
It is anticipated that draconian restrictions on spectator access to
much of the TT course will be put in place as a result, despite the
fact that Jacob and Kenzig were the first spectators to be killed in
the event's 100-year history.
