A significant update has been released regarding the medical status of Tom Tunstall, following last Monday’s catastrophic multi-bike collision during the British Supersport race at Oulton Park. The incident, which took place on the Cheshire track, involved 11 riders and led to the tragic deaths of Shane Richardson, aged 29, and 21-year-old Owen Jenner.
Tom Tunstall, a seasoned racer at 47 years old, was among the most severely affected by the accident. Official reports indicate that Tunstall suffered a fractured neck and remains in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Stoke Hospital. Medical personnel are providing him with ongoing specialist care as they monitor his progress and consider whether surgical intervention will be necessary in the days ahead. Motorsport Vision Racing, the organisers of the British Superbike Championship, emphasised that a slow yet hopeful recovery is anticipated for Tunstall.
The aftermath of the crash was immediate and sombre. The British Superbikes meeting was halted and eventually cancelled following the incident, underscoring the gravity and the lasting impact of the day’s events on the cycling community and spectators alike. In total, five other riders also required medical attention for comparatively minor injuries, but the spotlight remains on the lives lost and those critically affected.
Jenner, who hailed from East Sussex, was transferred to the circuit’s medical centre where efforts to resuscitate him proved unsuccessful. Organisers later confirmed that his cause of death was a catastrophic head injury, a devastating loss for all who knew him and a stark reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport. Meanwhile, Richardson, a New Zealander, was found to have suffered severe chest injuries. Despite being attended to by medical staff and transferred towards Royal Stoke University Hospital, he sadly succumbed to his injuries during transit.
Personal tributes have poured in over social media for both Jenner and Richardson, their loved ones, and the broader motorsport fraternity. Richardson’s partner, Hannah James—a social worker and former promotional model—has previously experienced tragedy in the sport; her former partner, Billy Redmayne, was killed in a crash in 2016. A poignant update to her public profile with a family photo has become a symbol of the heartbreak endured by those behind the scenes of competitive racing.
The close-knit nature of the racing community is evident in the outpouring of support and remembrance. Comments from friends and fellow racers reveal a community shaken by the events, with many highlighting the compassionate personalities of those lost, as well as their deep-seated passion for the sport. Tributes online have described the cruel unpredictability of racing and the enduring legacy of figures like Richardson, whose influence and memory persist among family, friends, and colleagues alike.
In the wake of the tragedy, the investigation into the causes and circumstances of the crash is ongoing. Cheshire Constabulary is collaborating with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and Motorsport Vision Racing, highlighting the commitment to learning from such incidents and preventing similar catastrophes in the future. While motorsport’s inherent dangers are widely acknowledged, such tragic events spark renewed calls for ongoing safety improvements.
The community’s collective mourning has been matched by calls for greater support for those affected and a renewed discussion regarding the measures in place at high-risk motorsport events. Moments of reflection serve to emphasise both the joy and potential heartbreak present in professional racing, a sport that commands immense passion but occasionally demands an unbearably high price.
As Tunstall’s recovery is closely monitored and the families of Jenner and Richardson navigate this difficult period, the world of British Superbikes faces a sombre reckoning. The events at Oulton Park have left an indelible mark, one that will shape both the immediate and long-term future of the sport for all involved.