AN investigation has been launched by bosses at Brands Hatch after a kart racer was killed at the weekend.

Peter Dearden, 41, died following an accident which happened during a meet at the West Kingdown racing circuit on Sunday.

He is the second person to have died while racing there in the last year.

Mr Dearden, from Clitheroe in Lancashire, was involved in a collision as he competed in the New Era Motorcycle Club meeting.

He was taking part in the kart championship when he was involved in a crash with other competitors at the Paddock Hill bend.

The race was stopped and the circuit’s medical and rescue teams attended to Mr Dearden immediately.

He underwent prolonged resuscitation at the scene but died later from his injuries at Darent Valley Hospital.

Andy Bothwell of Brands Hatch said in a statement: "MotorSport Vision regrets to report that kart racer Peter Dearden succumbed to injuries sustained in a racing incident on Sunday.

"Chief executive Jonathan Palmer, as well as everyone at MSV, would like to extend their deepest condolences to Mr Dearden’s family and friends."

A second competitor suffered a broken leg in the crash.

Mr Dearden, who had just taken over as managing director of his family business J & M Timber, Clitheroe, Lancs, leaves behind his children Jack 18, Emily 15, Grace, nine, partner Helen, parents Maurice and Jean, sister Helen and former wife Lesley.

His uncle Chris Cattermole said Mr Dearden was competing in a sport he loved when he died.

He said: "Apart from his kids it was all about racing for Peter, he loved it. His mother will be heartbroken. Peter had many friends in the area and also within karting, and was a popular member of the local community."

The coroner’s office for North Kent was expecting a post mortem to be carried out on Tuesday.

North Kent Police are not treating the death as suspicious.