Phil Guillou (No. 11) racing at Donington last year. (0475219)

PHIL GUILLOU was one of the first to come across Robert Dunlop’s fatal accident during Thursday’s qualifying round for the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. The world of motorcycling has been stunned by the death of Dunlop, who was one of its most popular characters.

The 48-year-old was thrown when his bike seized up at high speed. He later died in hospital from severe chest injuries. Sarnian Guillou was riding in the same qualifying session.

‘We were the first ones to come across the accident,’ he said. ‘Rob was still lying in the road and there was bike debris all over the track. He would have been doing 150mph to 160mph. We were still doing 150mph when we came up to it.’

Guillou knew Dunlop and is a friend of his son Michael, who is also a motorcycle road racer. Dunlop’s brother Joey also died in a bike accident in Estonia, eight years ago.