TT racer's mother: 'I wish them the best for their eternal lives'

Inquest into death of French rider due to conclude at Douglas Courthouse

The Coroner of Inquests has retired to consider her verdict at the inquest into the death of a French TT competitor.

32-year-old César Chanal died on 4 June last year, during the first sidecar race, after a crash near Ago’s Leap.

His passenger – Olivier Lavorel – died in October from the injuries he sustained in the incident just minutes into the opening lap.

At Douglas Courthouse today Mr Chanal’s mother, who was assisted by a French translator, described the TT as the ‘race of their lives’.

Thanking everyone who’d followed the family ‘from far or close by’ since the crash she added that, due to a case of mistaken identity, she’d believed her son was still alive until 8 June.

The two riders were carrying each other’s identification tags on the day which led to TT organisers wrongly announcing that it was Mr Lavorel who had died at the scene.

Addressing the issue Mr Chanal’s mother said both men were ‘responsible’ people adding “Nobody has the right to talk on the behalf of the deceased.

“No-one can speak on their behalf that they actually, physically, changed their nametags. I will not let anyone discredit (them).”

Thanking the court and the witnesses who have given evidence during the two-day hearing she added: “They are no more and I wish them the best for their eternal lives.”

Coroner of Inquests Jayne Hughes will conclude the inquest at Douglas Courthouse this afternoon.