Inquests open for bikers killed in Championship race

Inquests have been opened into the deaths of two motorcyclists killed in an 11-bike crash during a British Superbike Championship race.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, died after the collision at the first corner of the race at Oulton Park race track in Cheshire on 5 May.

Inquests into their deaths were opened at Cheshire Coroner's Court on Wednesday.

Brief hearings for both men were told they were involved in the collision at the racetrack, but the cause of death of each man was not mentioned.

Mr Jenner, of Medway, East Sussex, was pronounced dead at the scene, the hearing was told.

Mr Richardson, who was originally from New Zealand but living in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, died later that day in the Winsford area while being conveyed to hospital, the inquest heard.

Assistant coroner Elizabeth Wheeler adjourned the hearings and listed full inquests to be held on January 13 next year.

Race organisers previously said Mr Jenner suffered a "catastrophic head injury" and Mr Richardson was taken to the medical centre with "severe chest injuries" but died while he was being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital.

The riders were taking part in the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship organised by MotorSport Vision Racing, which abandoned the race as medical services were deployed to help the injured.

In a statement released at the time, a MotorSport Vision Racing spokesman said the race was immediately stopped after the "chain reaction incident".

The spokesman said: "This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries."

Organisers said a third rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, suffered a broken bone in his neck in the crash.

Five other riders were treated in the medical centre with minor injuries, but did not need hospital treatment.

Cheshire Constabulary previously said officers were investigating the crash along with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing.

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