Horrific update after superbikes tragedy as private family details emerge

The double tragedy that rocked the motorsport world has turned simply devastating with private family details emerging.

The devastated girlfriend of a Superbike rider who died in a horrific pile-up lost her previous boyfriend in a tragic motorcycle crash nine years ago.

Former grid girl Hannah James, 25, lost her boyfriend Shane Richardson, 29, after he died, alongside Owen Jenner, 21, in the devastating 11-bike smash on Monday.

The riders went down at the very first turn of the race at Oulton Park in Cheshire, with horrific live footage showing how one racer lost control before skidding across the tarmac into the path of other bikers.

The Sun now reports Hannah had also lost her previous boyfriend, Billy Redmayne, 25, to a horrific racing accident in 2016.

On Monday, Shane, dad to two young kids, passed away after being treated for “severe chest injuries”, following the 11-man pile-up which was witnessed on live TV.

21-year-old Owen was also killed following the shocking crash at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship.

An investigation has been launched by police into the tragic crash.

Shane’s heartbroken girlfriend has since shared an emotional family photo, showing Shane proudly standing with his young daughter, Maddie, while holding his toddler son, Max.

Shane Richardson, 29, tragically died in the horrific racing crash on Monday. Credit: Facebook

Hannah had also lost her previous boyfriend Billy Redmayne to a racing accident. Photo: Facebook.

Next to a broken heart emoji, one friend wrote: “The most picture perfect family.

“Your love for each other was beautiful, which will live on in beautiful Maddie and Max.

“Sending so much love to you all.”

It’s the second tragedy for Hannah, following the death of Billy in 2016.

The paratrooper, who had been friends with Shane before his death, suffered fatal injuries in a tragic crash at the Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup in Scarborough.

Despite being airlifted to hospital, his brain injuries were too severe to recover from, MailOnline reports.

His life support machine was then turned off on his two-year anniversary with Hannah.

Billy, of Laxey on the Isle of Man, won the Junior Manx Grand Prix in 2015 and was considered one of the sport’s hottest prospects.

Hannah previously posted on Facebook: “Today was also the day that I lay in Billy’s arms whilst he took his last breath.

“Words cannot describe how hard this is for us all, and to be honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I have ever done.

“Happy Anniversary Billy. Sleep tight my love, until we meet again.”

Billy was a serving member of the Parachute Regiment who had served in Afghanistan.

In 2016, Shane had shared a photo of himself, Hannah and Billy in a tribute after the biker’s death, before going on to date her.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died in the crash.

Shane and Owen tragically died in the 11-bike crash on Monday. Photo: TNT Sports.

Ahead of his tragic death on Monday, business owner Shane, originally from New Zealand, posted a video on Facebook with him geared up for the race.

In one of his final posts, he said: “Race two ready! Let’s Go!”

Shane, who moved to the UK in 2019, was racing for Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki.

He had finished ninth in last year’s British Supersport Championship, having previously been crowned New Zealand rider of the year.

In the tragic “chain reaction” crash on Monday, multiple bikes began piling into each other, after one rider lost control and veered across their paths.

One bike even caught fire in the devastating scenes as medics rushed to try and limit the damage.

Tom Tunstall, 47, was quickly taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries, while five other riders were treated for minor injuries at the track.

The event at Oulton Park was subsequently cancelled.

Speaking out for the first time since the tragedy, fellow racer Morgan McLaren-Wood, who survived the crash, took to social media to share his sadness at the deaths.

He wrote: “Struggling to find the words for what happened today. Rest in peace, Shane and Owen.

“My heart goes out to both of their families during this heartbreaking time.”

Shortly after the crash, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing issued a statement confirming the tragic deaths of Shane and Owen.

While Shane died from his “severe chest injuries”, Owen tragically passed away after suffering a “catastrophic head injury”.

Two riders died in the horror crash.

Two riders died in the crash at Oulton Park.

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.”

Cheshire Police also confirmed it would be investigating the two deaths.

A spokesman for the force said: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon.

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.”

— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.

Originally published as Horrific update after superbikes tragedy as private family details emerge