A rider has been killed in today's Senior TT.

In the last few minutes, race organisers have confirmed it was Manxman John Crellin.

Privateer Mr Crellin, who was 55, died in an accident at the Mountain Box on the fifth lap, on his Suzuki.

It happened just hours after he secured a podium position in today TTXGP.

Marian Kenny reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Organisers have released few details about the incident, but it's undertstood no other machine was involved.

Mr Crellin had competed in the TT for many years, achieving numerous finishes within the top 30.

His passion for motorcycles had seen him take part in the historic TTXGP race around the mountain course this morning, where he won second place in the open class.

In the early 80s Mr Crellin had 'top ten' placings in the Manx Grand Prix

Mr Crellin was also a keen mountaineer and set himself the challenge of climbing the highest peak in each of the seven continents. Only last month he tried for the third and final time to reach the summit of Everest, a goal which eluded him.

Mr Crellin was a civil engineer who lived in Douglas.