The girlfriend of a British Superbikes rider who was killed in a horrific 11-bike smash has suffered a double tragedy after also losing her previous boyfriend in a motorcycle crash nine years ago.
Shane Richardson, 29, and Owen Jenner, 21, died following a devastating multi-bike collision that saw the 11 riders go down at the very first turn of Monday’s race at Oulton Park, Cheshire.
The shocking crash, captured live on television, showed one rider lose control exiting Turn One – Old Hall Corner – before skidding across the tarmac and into the path of other competitors.
What followed was a terrifying chain reaction, with multiple bikes piling into each other and one catching fire as medics rushed to the scene.
Among the fatalities was Mr Richardson, who leaves behind two children and his partner, Hannah James, a former grid girl.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Ms James updated her profile picture with a photo of herself and Mr Richardson, beaming at the camera alongside their two children.
But in a tragic twist, this is the second time Ms James has lost a boyfriend during a motorcycle race. Her former partner, Billy Redmayne, died following a crash at the Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup in North Yorkshire in 2016.
Mr Redmayne was airlifted to hospital, but his brain injuries were too severe to recover from, and he passed away surrounded by his loved ones, including Ms James, aged just 25.
In 2016, Mr Richardson had shared a photo of himself, Ms James and Mr Redmayne in a tribute after the biker’s death. Mr Richardson would later go on to start dating Ms James, who has now lost two motorcycle partners in less than a decade.
Shane Richardson’s girlfriend, Hannah James (right), has updated her profile picture to show her and Mr Richardson smiling with their two children after his tragic death
In a tragic twist, this is the second time Ms James (left) has lost a boyfriend during a motorcycle race. Her former partner, Billy Redmayne (right), died following a crash in an accident at the Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup in North Yorkshire in 2016
Shane Richardson, who died on Monday, had also paid tribute to Billy Redmayne in 2016. Mr Richardson (right), Ms Jones (left) and Mr Redmayne (centre) are pictured all together
Medics rushed to the scene after the 11-bike pile-up, but two riders died from their injuries
Monday’s tragic crash was shown on live TV, but the Oulton Park event was subsequently cancelled as medical personnel rushed to the scene.
Shortly afterwards, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing released a statement confirming that Richardson and Jenner had died from the injuries they sustained.
The statement read: ‘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.
‘The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.’
In addition to the motorsport authorities conducting an investigation, Cheshire Constabulary have also launched their own probe.
‘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.
‘Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.
‘Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled. The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).
‘The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Police.’
Richardson (left) and Jenner (right). Now Cheshire Constabulary have confirmed that an investigation into the crash is underway, in coordination with the Coroner and racing authorities
Mr Richardson (pictured) died in a fatal motorcycle crash at Oulton Park on Monday
This is the second time Ms James has lost a partner in a motorcycle race. She posted this tribute to her former partner Billy Redmayne after he died in an accident in 2016
Mr Richardson’s final post from before his death has emerged on social media
Shane Richardson is pictured with Hannah James. He died after the devastating crash on Monday
As Ms James grieves the tragic loss of her boyfriend, Mr Richardson’s final social media from before his death has emerged.
He had taken to Instagram to share an interview as he expressed his excitement for Monday’s race.
He said: ‘Sprint race was good. Bad start, went backwards quite a few positions.
‘But we managed to figure it out, get some good consistent pace going, matching the times with a few of the boys ahead of us.
‘So yeah, looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully get a better start and be a bit more in the mix.’
