The inquest into the death of TT hero David Jefferies opened in Douglas this morning. The following is taken from the report on <A HREF="http://www.manxradio.com">www.manxradio.com</A>, under the heading 'Riders say Jefferies death could have been avoided' :

"David Jefferies' death could have been avoided if an oil-flag had been used during the practice session in which he died, according to two other riders speaking this morning at the inquest into the accident.

The absolute lap record-holder was killed in a crash at Crosby on the Thursday of practice week earlier this year.

Both 3-times TT winner John McGuinness and fellow rider Richard Britton said they felt Jefferies lost his life after losing control of his bike due to oil on the circuit.

The oil came from an engine blow-out on New Zealander's Daniel Jansen's bike.

McGuinness said that the Marshalls should have used an oil flag rather than just a warning yellow flag, and added that if there had been oil on the circuit of a British Championship or Superbike event, racing would have been halted and the track assessed."