A seven-year-old child was killed in an accident at the Ulster Grand Prix which left a rider in a critical condition in hospital. Christopher McConnell-Hewitt died instantly when a motorcycle and sidecar careered out of control into a spectator area at the Dundrod circuit at the weekend.
The boy - who lived on the Mullaghglass Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim, a few miles from the circuit - had been watching a warm-up lap with his grandfather, Mr Pat Hewitt.
Mr Hewitt said: "It was a freak accident. He didn't have a chance. It was all over in seconds."
The rider, Mr Stephen Galligan, from Dublin, suffered a broken arm and pelvic injuries. He is described as "critical but stable" in hospital.
His son, Aaron, who was in the sidecar, suffered minor injuries.
The RUC and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland have begun investigations into the accident.
Mr Hewitt choked back tears as he described his grandson, who was an avid motorcycle fan.
"He was a lovely little boy, always full of life. There was never a dull moment with him."
Mr Billy Nutt, the clerk of the Dundrod course, said: "We know motorcycle racing is dangerous, but you don't expect these things to happen to spectators.
"We will have to try and make sure this doesn't happen again. It's too early to say what steps we will take."