Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita has died during a qualifying session at the Isle of Man TT, it has been confirmed.

Matsushita, 43, was killed during the qualifying session at the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races in an incident at Ballacrye in the North of the Island. The session was immediately red flagged.

The rider, who was from Saitama, on the northern outskirts of Tokyo, was an experienced road racer who made his TT debut in 2009. He competed regularly in the Superstock and Superbike classes and also finished fifth in the 2011 TT Zero. He was also 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.

“Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT Races paddock,” said Gary Thompson, MBE, Clerk of the Course for the ACU. “He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.”

The Coroner of Inquests has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.