TT rider Martin Finnegan was killed in a 100mph crash when his front brake failed because of a loose bolt, a coroner has ruled.

The Irish road racer and former Manx Grand Prix winner received fatal injuries in an accident at the Tandragee meeting in Northern Ireland in May 2008.

An inquest yesterday (Tuesday) heard how the 29-year-old father of one was competing in a race when his machine flipped on to a bank.

Finnegan, nicknamed the 'Flying Finn', was killed three weeks before he was due to take part in the TT.

A Belfast courtroom heard how his front brake failed as he approached a sharp bend, sending him careering into the bank.

Witnesses said they saw Finnegan fighting with the bike, which was shaking violently as it approached the bend.

Experts agreed that, in all probability, the cause of failure was a loose banjo bolt.

Although the part was loose upon examination after the crash, the chief mechanic for Finnegan's team said every bolt had been checked before the race.

His widow Brenda Finnegan yesterday claimed racing authorities were not taking safety seriously enough, but said she was pleased her husband had been completely exonerated.