Former marine Mark Fincham, 37, dies in motorbike race

Image copyright Hampshire Constabulary

A former Royal Marine died in a motorcycle crash during a British Superbike Championship race, event organisers have confirmed.

Mark Fincham died at Thruxton Circuit, near Andover, following a two-bike crash on Sunday afternoon.

He had his left leg amputated in 2007 and had been racing for the True Heroes team, which gives injured military veterans motor sport experience.

The 37-year-old's family said their world had "fallen apart".

The other rider was uninjured.

A tribute, released by police on behalf of the family of Mr Fincham, from King's Lynn, said: "Our world has fallen apart, we as a family are completely and utterly heartbroken.

"We have lost a totally amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and boyfriend, who lived his life to fullest no matter what it threw at him."

The family also thanked those who had tried to save Mr Fincham.

In a statement, race organisers said the crash happened during a race for the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship.

"It is with great regret that we have to announce that Mark Fincham succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment," the statement added.

Organisers MotorSport Vision Racing said it was liaising with the coroner, police and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Hampshire Constabulary said it wanted to hear from people who may have filmed the collision.

The force added the crash was not being treated as suspicious.