Pride of Britain nominee is killed in motorbike crash while trying to break 200mph record in front of huge crowd at road show – as heartbroken family pay tribute

• Army veteran Martin McConnell died when his motorcycle crashed at speed 

A Pride of Britain nominee has been killed in a motorbike crash while trying to break a 200mph record in front of a huge crowd at a road show.

Army veteran and charity fund raiser Martin McConnell, who was aged in his 50s, was killed when he came off his powerful turbo charged Suzuki Hayabusa at Terminal Velocity in Norfolk. 

Police and paramedics were called to the airfield at around 11am after Mr McConnell crashed while trying to beat the high speed, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Mr McConnell served in the Royal Corps of Transport and in 2015 set up a support group for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, called Exforces PTSD, which raises money for families of ex-servicemen and women to go on holidays. Mr McConnell also travelled across Europe to deliver aid to Ukraine, after the Russian invasion.

His family and friends paid tribute, with his son saying on Facebook that while he knew the risks of motorcycling, he ‘never saw this day coming’. 

Army veteran and charity fund raiser Martin McConnell (right) who was aged in his 50s was killed when he came off his powerful turbo charged Suzuki Hayabusa

It is not known how fast Mr McConnell was going at the time of the crash, but he was at the event to try and break the runways previous speed record of just under 200mph. 

For his efforts raising more than £33,000 and funding 25 holidays to Jersey, Mr McConnell was nominated for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year Award in 2018.

Mr McConnell, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, had his motorcycle emblazoned with the name of his race team Ex Forces PTSD Racing. 

Terminal Velocity, at Tibenham Airfield, in Norwich, Norfolk, features a ‘rolling half mile’ at which those taking part drive along the runway at high speeds. 

Following his death, his son, Jamie, posted a tribute on social media. 

He wrote: ‘None of this seems real, but we all know the risks taken when competing in motorcycle racing. 

‘Unfortunately, today is a day I never saw coming. We have lost my dad Martin McConnell in a high speed crash at Tibenham Airfield. 

‘I am lost for words at the minute. I know for a fact he died smiling and doing what he loved. RIP dad, I will never forget you. The memories we have will live on forever in our hearts.’ 

Kryssie Chittenden of Suzuki Turbo Racing which provided team support for Mr McConnell described him as ‘the kindest hearted person you’ll ever meet’. 

She added in a Facebook post: ‘I’m still in shock and disbelieve he is gone. I was expecting to get to him at the end of the runway laughing but in a bit of pain sitting on the grass but unfortunately it was far from that.’ 

Military veteran Martin McConnell was killed in a crash at Tibenham Airfield in Norwich, Norfolk during the Terminal Velocity show on Sunday

Dazz Rose, who was Mr McConnell’s crew chief for the event, added: ‘We are both lost for words at the moment, that someone so larger than life, and who worked so hard and gave so much to others has been so cruelly taken away from us all. 

‘It’s especially devastating knowing how much Martin had turned his life around in the last year, and how happy he was with the way things were going in all the areas of his life. 

‘Martin’s racing was one of his ways of dealing with his PTSD whilst also raising money and awareness for other veterans suffering from the same condition. 

‘His loss is immeasurable and we are totally devastated and heartbroken to have lost one of our racing family and a man we were so proud to call our friend.’

The website for Terminal Velocity Events said it ran runway days to give people ‘the opportunity to drive your car as fast as you can within a safe, secure and most importantly, legal environment’. 

Terminal Velocity director Matthew Flynn said the group would be cancelling future runway events at Tibenham as a result of the tragedy. 

He added in a statement ‘We are all absolutely devastated that this has happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Martin’s family and friends. 

‘We would like to thank all of you who have participated in our events over the years, and always made them such great fun events, but the idea was always that it was enjoyable for all and that can no longer be the case for us.’ 

Norfolk Police said it was called to assist ambulance staff with what it described as a single-vehicle collision which led to a motorcyclist aged in his 50s dying at the scene. 

The force added: ‘Officers attended and carried out initial enquiries and will be working with South Norfolk Council. A file will be prepared for the Health and Safety Executive’.

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