A survivor from the Oulton Park motorcycle crash has broken their silence 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 eleven 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.
However, after surviving with only minor injuries, fellow rider Morgan McLaren-Wood has taken to social media to express his condolences to the families of Jenner and Richardson.
‘Struggling to find the words for what happened today. Rest in peace, Shane and Owen,’ McLaren-Wood wrote on social media.
‘My heart goes out to both of their families during this heartbreaking time.’
The president of Motorcycling New Zealand Michael McCleod added of Richardson: ‘It’s a tragic shock to the motorcycle racing community in New Zealand because he’s such a well-respected competitor and mentor to a lot of young up-and-coming riders that are now competing in Europe and England as well.
‘He was a fantastic guy, he’d always stop and have a chat. He’s a real nice bloke and it’s a real shame.’
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.
In addition to McLaren-Wood, four other riders sustained injuries but fortunately only suffered minor injuries in Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall and Freddie Barnes.
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.
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.
‘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.
