Police have investigated the deaths of two motorcycle riders who were killed in a horrific reaction involving 11 riders at a British superbike race on Monday.
Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, suffered fatal injuries after piled up in the first corner of the game at Oulton Park in Cheshire.
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Jenner, from Crowborough, East Sussex, was treated at Trackside but died of a "catastrophic" head injury despite further resuscitation at the Tour Medical Center. Richardson from Wainuiomata, New Zealand, was also treated in the course and was transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with a severe chest injury. He died before he arrived.
The third rider, 47, is still in the hospital, and organizers say serious back and abdominal injuries. Five other riders were treated on a minor injury track, while three other riders were not injured.
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Companions of the British Superbike Series pay tribute to the two after Jenner and Richardson's deaths. Morgan McLaren-Wood, who was treated for minor injuries after the crash, posted: "Trying to find words of what happened. Rest in peace, Shane and Owen. My heart was fully focused on their two families during this heartbreaking time."
"Crime is an understatement. The sport can be too cruel at times. Thoughts and condolences to everyone involved in today's events and their families." The third competitor in the race, Jaimie Van Sikkelerus, called it "a black day in the racing stadium, huge losses."
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Meanwhile, one of Jenner's close friends, British supersports racer Cameron Dawson, pays tribute to the emotions. "I don't know where to start," he wrote. "I'm speechless. Today I lost a brother, and when I went through a rough place, our journey began, and this guy entered my life and became one of my closest friends ever.
"We shared the () tracks, celebrations, laughter and love, shared drinks, beds, food, clothes, and even mothers, and I could sit here all day, but the list goes on. We may not be brothers in blood, but we are definitely brothers of another mother. Until we meet Smiler x again. Love you."
In the UK, the British superbike has always had a strong and loyal following in the UK, but it has grown to be within the scope of Europe, Asia and North America. But with the bike able to reach 200mph, the sport comes with undeniable risks. Monday's tragic incident occurred when the rider lost control from the first round and scored another competitor, leading to the organizer, Motorsport Vision Racing (MSVR) being described as a "chain reaction event."
"At the beginning of the Quattro Group UK Supersports Championship in Alton Park this afternoon, the corner of the first lap exited, involving a ripple effect of 11 riders falling," it said in a statement. "The race was immediately stopped and a tracked medical service deployment was conducted. The remaining Bennetts UK Supersports Championship was cancelled due to the extreme severity of the incident and the ongoing medical intervention.
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"This catastrophic accident sadly resulted in two riders injured and another major injury. Motorcycle circuit racing control panel and motorsport vision racing are investigating the full situation with the coroner and Cheshire Police."
Motorcycle New Zealand president Michael McLeod said Richardson's death shocked the community closely. "He's a great guy, he always stops and chats," he added. "He's such a good guy, it's a shame."
One of Richardson's sponsors, white Powersports, also pays tribute. "It's absolutely devastating news, the young kiwi walks across the other side of the planet and realizes his dream, and it's all gone in this tragic way," said Adrian Cox, general manager of the company. "It's a dangerous sport, but there's a lot of safety elements in this sport, so you don't hear too many people die. So when it does happen, it's still very miserable and super painful because it doesn't happen every day - it doesn't happen every year."
A statement from Cheshire Police confirmed they are investigating the crash. "After multiple collisions this afternoon at Alton Park, police are investigating two people on behalf of the coroner," it wrote.
There is no indication that death will result in the cancellation of any other race in the British superbike series. Tickets are still held in Downington Park on Tuesday morning between May 16 and 18.