Mechanical Failure Blamed in Stunt Rider's Death

Mechanical failure blamed for cycle death at Texas Motor Speedway

An organizer has blamed mechanical failure for a wreck that led to a motorcycle stunt rider's death after a crash during practice for an exhibition at Texas Motor Speedway.

Jim McNeil of Phoenix died Sunday at a Fort Worth hospital.

Tour manager Cory Stem with Freestylemx.com said Monday that the company determined unknown mechanical failure caused the accident.

Stem told the Star-Telegram that McNeil came up short on the landing. Witnesses had heard the engine running poorly.

McNeil was practicing outside the TMS gates. He was preparing to do an exhibition for a sponsor and wasn't part of the track's official program of events before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

A coroner says McNeil died of blunt-force trauma to the chest and neck.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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