An update has been issued on the condition of Tom Tunstall following the death of Shane Richardson and Owen Jenner during the British Superbikes meeting at Oulton Park
Bike racer Tom Tunstall is in a stable condition after suffering a broken neck in the devastating Oulton Park crash.
Shane Richardson, 29, and Owen Jenner, 21, died after 11 riders fell at the first corner of the British Supersport race at the Cheshire circuit on Monday. Five other riders required medical treatment for minor injuries. The remainder of the British Superbikes meeting was immediately cancelled.
In an update on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Tunstall, 47, was in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Doctors will decide if he needs surgery on the broken bone in the coming days.
A statement from MotorSport Vision Racing, which runs the British Superbike series, said: “We can confirm that Tom Tunstall has sustained a broken bone in his neck and is currently under the care of a team of specialists at the Royal Stoke Hospital.
“While his condition is serious, he is stable and receiving the best possible treatment. Doctors are closely monitoring his progress and will determine in the coming days whether surgery will be necessary. At this time, a slow but hopefully full recovery is expected.”
Jenner, from East Sussex, was taken to the circuit medical centre and given further resuscitation treatment but died from a “catastrophic head injury”, organisers said.
New Zealander Richardson was taken to the medical centre with “severe chest injuries” but died while he was being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital, they added.
Former ‘grid girl’ Hannah James, who was Richardson’s partner, had also suffered the death of a previous partner in the sport. Billy Redmayne, 24, was killed in a crash at the Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup in North Yorkshire in 2016.
James, a social worker and former promotional model, updated her Facebook profile photo on Tuesday, showing a photo of Richardson and their two young children. Personal tributes were paid online to the family of Richardson, his partner and children, and to Jenner from friends and the world of motorsport.
Kate Buchanan wrote on Facebook: “This sport can be so damn cruel. Our racing family is devastated to lose one of our best and my heart breaks for you Hannah James, Maddie and Max. Shane’s legacy lives on in each of you and all those who knew and loved him. Ride on forever Shane.”
Steve Wilf Moore posted: “Our best day of racing has turned to the worst imaginable. If you ever spent any time with Owen Jenner then you will feel the same terrible loss we do.
“RIP Shane M Richardson, such a gentleman you could barely think he was such a racer. I’m so sorry Hannah James. Get well soon Tom Tunstall. Truly awful day for everyone.”
Cheshire Constabulary said officers are investigating the crash along with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and Motorsport Vision Racing.