A CRASH that killed a motorcycle racing prodigy is still being investigated by police in Northern Ireland, a coroner has revealed.

Talented biker Malachi Mitchell, more commonly known as Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, aged 20, died of his injuries at the scene after his Kawasaki collided with a wall during a race.

The smash happened at Black Hill corner during the third lap of the Supertwins race at the Vauxhall International North West 200 in Portrush in County Antrim on May 14.

Mr Mitchell-Thomas grew up in Horwich and is a former pupil of Rivington and Blackrod High School.

He turned professional at 14 and most recently raced for the Cookstown Burrows Engineering Racing team.

The 20-year-old was living in Adlington at the time of his death and a stream of hundreds of bikers and drivers created a noisy tribute spectacle by accompanying the cortege to his funeral on May 24.

Area coroner Alan Walsh resumed the inquest into Mr Mitchell-Thomas' death at Bolton Coroner's Court yesterday.

He said: "When this inquest was opened my officer requested information from the Irish authorities.

"I received information that a post-mortem examination had been conducted in Ireland and I asked the Irish coroner to provide details of the investigation into the death, details as to whether any inquest was to be held in Ireland and details of the police officers who were investigating the collision.

"I requested a copy of the post-mortem examination report.

"I am still awaiting papers from the coroner in Ireland and I made a further request to the coroner this week for an update prior to today.

"I have received information that the preliminary cause of death stated by the pathologist was chest injuries but the death is still under investigation by the police on behalf of the Northern Ireland coroner.

"The coroner's officer in Northern Ireland has given me the name of the investigating officer and I will now liaise with the investigating officer in relation to the investigation."

Police Service of Northern Ireland Inspector David Anderson said: "A file is currently being prepared for the Northern Ireland Coroner and the family of Malachi Mitchell-Thomas continue to be kept informed of progress."

Mr Walsh adjourned the inquest for three months to allow the Police Service of Northern Ireland's enquiries to be completed.

The next hearing will be on November 25.