Leeds chef killed in motorbike crash at Isle of Man TT event

Mr Clark, 22, died after a head-on crash with a German rider on the island on Sunday, August 30.

Police said the German rider, who was also killed, was overtaking when the bikes collided and burst into flames.

Mr Clark, who worked as a chef at Oulton Hall near Leeds and lived in South Elmsall, was on the island for the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, which began the following day.

A statement released on behalf of Mr Clark’s parents Beverley and Andrew said: “Lewis was a happy, fun-loving young man who could light up a room with his presence.

“He lived every one of his 22 years to the full, spending as much time as he could with his family and friends.”

The crash happened on the A18 Mountain Road - one of the routes used by the organisers of the festival.

The statement said: “By day Lewis worked as a chef and he was proud to show off his creations in the kitchen, but biking was his passion.

He spent four years visiting the Isle of Man and he loved nothing more than riding around the mountain roads on the island, that he referred to as ‘his mountain.’

“Our hearts have been broken into a million pieces knowing that we will never see Lewis and his smiling face again.

“While we have all been left devastated by our loss, we take some comfort knowing that he died happy, doing his favourite thing, on the road he loved most in the world.”

An inquest into Mr Clark’s death was opened on the Isle of Man on Tuesday.

It heard a post-mortem examination by pathologist Dr Christopher Clague found Mr Clark died as a result of injuries consistent with a motorcycle accident.

The inquest was adjourned pending the outcome of further enquiries.

Races at the TT races are renowned for their dangerous nature, with competitors travelling at high speed on narrow twisting streets, roads and lanes.