A verdict of misadventure has been returned at the inquest into the death of two TT sidecar racers.

Rider Lawrence 'Bill' Currie who was 67 and 59-year-old Kevin Morgan were taking part in a practice lap on May 31 last year, when they crashed at Ballaugh.

The pair swerved into a telegraph pole after losing control of the machine near Ballacrye.

Both died instantly from multiple linjuries.

The inquest was a lengthy one yesterday, taking up much of the day.

It heard from a series of witnesses, including other competitors, marshals, police officers and spectators.

It was accepted that an oil leak from a sidecar outfit 75 seconds in front of the pair contributed to the accident.

TT marshal Myles Ellis told the hearing he didn't display his lack of adhesion flag to indicate oil on the road as none was visible from his platform near the scene of the accident.

But other witnesses described a visible mist and one woman noticed the smell of oil when the sidecar passed Ballaugh Bridge.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham gave his sincere condolences to both competitors' family and friends.