Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was killed in a collision on the the Mountain Road yesterday (Thurs).

It happened at around 4.10pm at Hailwood's Rise in Lezayre and involved two bikes which collided just around the right hand bend half way up the rise.

Both machines - a black and silver coloured Suzuki GSXR 1000 and a red and silver coloured MV Augusta R1000 - went out of control and collided with the hedge bordering the Douglas-bound side of the road.

As a result of the collision, the rider of the Suzuki motorcycle received fatal injuries.

The rider of the MV Augusta motorcycle was very seriously injured and is receiving treatment at Nobles Hospital.

The Snaefell Mountain Road was closed initially between The Bungalow and the Brandywell Road, and later between Ramsey Hairpin and the Brandywell Road. The road was closed until just after 8.00 am this morning (Fri) in order for enquiries to be completed and the road to be cleaned.

The Police are anxious to speak to a number of motorcyclists who will have witnessed the collision and stopped nearby. A number of them left the scene prior to the Police being in a position to speak to them.

Anyone who has witnessed the collision, or thinks they may have seen either of the vehicles involved prior to the collision, is requested to contact the Road Policing Unit at Police Headquarters, Douglas on 631212