06-05-2025
Two dead after 11-man ‘chain reaction' crash at British Superbikes event
Two riders have died after an 11-man crash that caused a 'chain reaction' at the British Superbikes Championship in Cheshire on Monday.
Owen Jenner, a 21-year-old Briton, and Shane Richardson, a 29-year-old father of two from New Zealand, were killed in the incident that occurred on the first corner of the first lap at Oulton Park that was being televised by TNT Sports. The event was cancelled immediately after the crash.
Jenner died from a catastrophic head injury having been taken to the circuit medical centre. Richardson was transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries but died before arrival.
Tom Tunstall, 47, is also in Royal Stoke University Hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries. A further five riders — Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes, Morgan McLaren-Wood — were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries, which did not require transfer to hospital. Three riders were involved but uninjured.
Jenner dominated the 2024 Quattro Group British GP2 Cup as he won 18 races out of the 22 throughout the season. After winning the cup he joined the Rapid Honda squad for the 2025 Quattro Group British Supersport Championship. Richardson was racing for Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki team and was a joiner by trade, who built bespoke kitchens.
'This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries,' a statement from Motorsport Vision Racing, the organisers of British Superbikes, read. 'At the start of the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park, exiting turn one on the first lap there was a major chain reaction incident involving 11 riders. The race was immediately stopped and medical services attended.'
Stuart Higgs, the British Superbikes director, said there was an immediate red flag and full medical response.
'It was a severe and catastrophic incident coming off of turn one at the start of the British Supersport race,' he said. 'There were 11 riders involved, which naturally invoked an immediate red flag and full medical response given the severity of the incident.'
