TWO PEOPLE HAVE died in separate incidents in the opening day of the Isle of Man TT races.

Paul Shoesmith (50) and Dwight Bear (27) were both killed in separate crashes at different races of the event.

In statements released on its website, the race organisers passed on their sympathies to the families of the both men.

Paul Shoesmith, from Poynton, Lancashire in England died following an accident on Sulby Straight during the solo practice of the races.

The session was abandoned following the accident.

“[Paul] achieved his fastest ever lap around the TT Mountain Course in today’s Superbike Race, lapping at 125.896mph and finishing 29th,” the organisers said.

He won forty bronze replicas including the one he received for today’s race.

Sidecar driver

Dwight Beare, from Melbourne, Australia and who was living on the Isle of Man died in an accident near Rhencullen during a sidecar race.

The sidecar passenger, Benjamin Binns, was airlifted to Nobles Hospital where he was described as being stable with a fractured ankle.

“Dwight made his TT Races debut in 2014, achieving a 12th place in his second race on the Isle of Man when he competed with father Noel as his passenger,” the organisers said.

Thousands of bikers will complete a lap of the course later today to honour the two men who died and all the other racers who have lost their lives, The BBC reports.

The Simon Andrews Legacy Lap was set up in 2014 in honour of a TT star who died in the North West 22 event.

Read: Motorcyclist dies in crash while racing