Tributes paid to race death motorcyclist Daniel Hegarty

Daniel Hegarty died before reaching hospital

The girlfriend of a British motorcyclist killed in a crash at the Macau Grand Prix in China has said she has been left heartbroken by his death.

Daniel Hegarty, 31, from Nottingham, died from his injuries before arriving at hospital.

The Macau Grand Prix committee said the accident happened at Fishermen's Bend on Saturday morning and shared its "deepest sympathies" with his family.

Lucy Draycott said on Facebook that Mr Hegarty was the "love of my life".

'Fantastic talent'

The motorcyclist, who raced for Top Gun Racing Honda, came off his bike at a sharp bend during the sixth lap and was flung into barriers, losing his helmet and sustaining fatal injuries.

Tributes have been paid to the rider from Nottingham

The race was red flagged and did not restart while the rider was treated.

Miss Draycott, from East Bridgford, posted on social media: "It is with a broken heart to tell you that the love of my life passed away this morning.

"I just need time to take in what has happened and would appreciate if people could just be patient with me and wait for contact."

Joe Hegarty, the motorcyclist's brother, thanked people on Twitter for their "nice comments" following news of his death.

Formula 3 motor racing champion Lando Norris tweeted: "Awful news. Rest In Peace Daniel Hegarty. Thoughts and prayers with your family and friends in this tough time..."

Daniel Hegarty had raced at North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix

Motorcycling photographer Alastair McCook tweeted that Mr Hegarty was a "fantastic talent" and "all round nice guy".

He said: "He was a rider I always admired and enjoyed watching. My sincere sympathies to his family, friends & team."

Broadcaster TDM said the last time a rider died at the Macau race was in 2012 when Portuguese Luis Carreira crashed at the same bend.

It said Mr Hegarty was the 16th person to die on the Circuito da Gula since the Macau race's debut in 1954.