MARTIN McConnell has died in a motorbike crash after he tried to break the 200mph record at the Terminal Velocity show.

       The army veteran and charity fund raiser was killed when he came off his powerful turbo charged Suzuki Hayabusa.

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       Martin McConnell died while trying to ride his motorbike at up to 200mph Credit: Kryssie Chittenden / East Anglia News Service

       The experienced motorbike rider, who was in his 50s, died at Tibenham Airfield near Long Stratton in Norfolk on Sunday morning.

       Cops and paramedics were called to the airfield at around 11am after Matthew crashed at high speed.

       No other vehicles were involved in the accident and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

       Matthew - who served in the Royal Corps of Transport - was due to ride on a half-mile strip of runway at high speed known as a "rolling half mile".

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       The brave ex-army man set up a group in 2015 supporting veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder.

       He raised money for military charities and funding holidays for families affected by the condition.

       Matthew was nominated for the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain awards in 2018.

       And last year he travelled across Europe to deliver aid to Ukraine, after the Russian invasion.

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       Emotional friends and family paid tribute to the veteran motorcyclist on social media.

       His son Jamie wrote: "None of this seems real, but we all know the risks taken when competing in motorcycle racing.

       "Unfortunately, today is a day I never saw coming. We have lost my dad Martin McConnell in a high speed crash at Tibenham Airfield.

       "I am lost for words at the minute. I know for a fact he died smiling and doing what he loved. RIP dad, I will never forget you.

       "The memories we have will live on forever in our hearts."

       Terminal Velocity Events was the organiser on Sunday, and its website says it specialises in providing a "safe, secure" and "legal environment" for people wanting to drive their vehicle as "fast as you can".

       In a statement shared on social media, company director Matthew Flynn said his "thoughts and prayers are with all Martin's friends and family".

       Dazz Rose, who was Mr McConnell's crew chief for the event, added: "We are both lost for words at the moment, that someone so larger than life, and who worked so hard and gave so much to others has been so cruelly taken away from us all.

       "It's especially devastating knowing how much Martin had turned his life around in the last year, and how happy he was with the way things were going in all the areas of his life.

       "Martin's racing was one of his ways of dealing with his PTSD whilst also raising money and awareness for other veterans suffering from the same condition.

       "His loss is immeasurable and we are totally devastated and heartbroken to have lost one of our racing family and a man we were so proud to call our friend."

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       Norfolk Police said it was called at 10.54am to assist ambulance staff with what it called a single-vehicle collision.

       The force said a file would be prepared for the Health and Safety Executive.