---
title: "2019 Isle of Man TT Motorcycle Racer Chris Swallow Killed in Racing Crash"
description: "Swallow lost control at the tricky Ballaugh Bridge section, which has claimed a total of seven lives in recent years."
date: "2019-08-26"
modified: "2019-08-26"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/29577/2019-isle-of-man-tt-motorcycle-racer-chris-swallow-killed-in-racing-crash"
categories:
  - "Motorcycles"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
  - "The Garage"
---

# 2019 Isle of Man TT Motorcycle Racer Chris Swallow Killed in Racing Crash

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/08/Chris-swallow.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Professional motorcycle racer Chris Swallow reportedly died Saturday as a r[esult of a racing crash](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22012/isle-of-man-tt-motorcycle-rider-william-dunlop-killed-in-racing-crash>) at a 2019 Isle of Man TT event. Swallow, a New Zealand native, was an experienced competitor and a regular at the "world's most dangerous race" since 2007.

According to the [*BBC*](<https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/49462114>), Swallow lost control of his motorcycle at the tricky Ballaugh Bridge section of the course during Saturday's race, which ultimately led him to impact one of the many objects that line the Isle of Man TT street course. It's reported that the Ballaugh Bridge has claimed seven lives over the course of the years. As it's the case with most [IOM TT fatalities](<https://www.thedrive.com/video/10234/taking-a-ride-with-mark-higgins-on-the-isle-of-man>), details of the crash weren't revealed to the press, with race organizers simply sharing their condolences to Swallow's family.

“The Manx Motor Cycle Club wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Chris’ family including his father Bill and his wife Jen and children.”

The New Zealander raced in what's known as the "Senior Classic TT" category, which despite featuring older and considerably slower motorcycles than [the usual superbikes that lap the island](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/11287/the-isle-of-man-tt-is-the-worlds-deadliest-race-and-thats-why-people-come>), the risk for injury or death is still considerably higher than the average race held at a purpose-built race track. In fact, an unofficial count claims there have been 260 fatalities since the event began in 1907.

Although not confirmed, [*Daily Star*](<https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/isle-man-tt-legend-killed-19004917>) reports that Swallow's father, Bill, also an experienced and accomplished racer, was competing in the same race when Swallow crashed.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)