A well-known doctor has died following a motorbike crash during a practice run for the Skerries 100 road races in north Dublin.

Doctor John Hinds, described as one of Irish road racing’s famous travelling medics, was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after Friday’s crash. He died on Saturday afternoon.

A Garda spokesman confirmed the sudden death of a man was being investigated following the incident in Skerries. The road where the crash happened was effectively a private road at the time as it had been officially closed off for the races.

Motorcycle News reported on its website that Dr Hinds was one of the largely self-funded team of doctors, nurses and paramedics who responded to crashes at Irish national and international races.

He was held in huge esteem by the entire racing community, it said.

“Also acknowledged worldwide as an expert in the field of emergency and motorsport medicine, John was also a friend, mentor and teacher to many in both the biking and medical communities.

“His work at the North West 200 had also made him one of the main proponents for a Northern Irish air ambulance, a cause he had fought fiercely for in recent months.”

The racing and medical communities have extended their sympathies to Dr Hinds’s family and friends.