A video showing the moments before the British Superbikes crash at Oulton Park on Monday has been posted on social media.
Two British Superbikes riders sadly lost their lives following an 11-man crash at Oulton Park, with the event duly cancelled. The horrific incident on Monday saw 11 riders fall at turn one.
Though medical personnel quickly rushed to the scene, Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, tragically lost their lives as a result of the crash.
The harrowing scenes on Monday were caught live on TV as one rider lost control coming out of the first turn, leading them to skid across the tarmac and into another competitor. Reflecting on the incident for ITV, commentator Greg Haines said: ‘It is unusual. In many ways it is amazing it doesn’t happen more often – thank god it doesn’t. But the start of the race is always the most dangerous time because everybody is bunched together from a standing start as well.
‘It is the risk the riders take and they know it can happen. But to have two riders losing their lives is absolutely appalling and to have several other riders injured – I wish them all the best.’
Haines went on to add on Tuesday morning that it was ‘one of the worst crashes I’ve seen and many of my colleagues I’ve been speaking to overnight.’
The riders all lined up for a British Superbikes race at Oulton Park on Monday afternoon
The race began as the riders looked to get to the front in the early stages
An 11-bike pile-up occurred at the first turn, and two riders died as a result of the horror crash
Jenner was treated at trackside but died of a ‘catastrophic’ head injury despite further resuscitation treatment at the circuit’s medical centre.
Richardson was also treated at the course before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injures. He died prior to arrival.
The riders immediately behind then collide, with a total of 11 motorbikes involved in the fatal crash.
The cameras quickly cut away as the other riders are brought into the pits after an immediate red flag, with the programme going to an advertisement break, and later showing footage of the track being cleared.
Broadcast for the race on TNT Sports has been removed from the Discovery+ TV listings as of Tuesday afternoon, despite the programme showing the event being scheduled from 12.30pm-4.30pm on Monday.
Footage of the tragic accident has since been posted on social media, though at least one post sharing it saw numerous calls for the video to be deleted in the comments.
Several other competitors suffered minor injuries, namely Morgan McLaren-Wood, Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, and Freddie Barnes, while riders Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker and George Edwards, walked away unhurt.
Cheshire Constabulary have also confirmed that an investigation into the crash is underway, in coordination with the Coroner and racing authorities.
‘Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon – Monday 5 May,’ a police spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, in an official statement, MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) confirmed the terrible news that both Jenner and Richardson had passed away.
The statement began: ‘At the start of this afternoon’s Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park, exiting turn one, Old Hall corner on the first lap, there was a chain reaction incident involving 11 riders falling.
‘The race was immediately stopped and trackside medical services deployed.
Shane Richardson (left) was pronounced dead prior to arriving in hospital, while Owen Jenner (right) died from a ‘catastrophic’ head injury
The Oulton Park event was cancelled following the fatal crash
‘Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.
‘This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries.’
On Jenner, the statement went on: ‘Owen Jenner (21) was initially treated trackside and then taken to the circuit medical centre, where despite further resuscitation treatment, he died from a catastrophic head injury.’
Richardson was then confirmed to have also passed away.
The statement added: ‘Shane Richardson (29) was initially treated trackside and then taken to the circuit medical centre before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries. He died prior to arrival.’
Fellow rider Tom Tunstall sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
