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A teenager died after veering off a cycle path and into a telegraph pole while riding his electric bike in Flintshire. Electric Motorcycle
Jamie Michael Jones was riding his motorised bicycle on a cycle path in Sealand when the tragic incident occurred on December 12, 2021.
The electrically assisted pedal cycle ridden by the 17-year-old at the time was a non-road legal replica with an 8000w motor capable of reaching speeds over 70mph.
For an electric bicycle to be road legal in the UK, its power must not exceed 250w and must not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph.
As such, the power output of the e-bike, which did not have a serial number and could not be identified by examiners, meant that it should have been classified as a motorcycle and should not have been ridden without a licence, according to forensic collision investigator Gordon Saynor.
At an inquest held at Ruthin County Hall today (March 29), Kate Sutherland, assistant coroner for North Wales east and central, recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
A medical cause of death of trauma to the abdomen and thorax was provided by Glan Clwyd pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson, who conducted the post mortem and also appeared as a witness at the inquest.
Forensic vehicle examiner Gary Roberts examined the e-bike following the crash and told the inquest that he found ‘no evidence of any pre-impact defects that would have contributed to a loss of control’.
However, he described the braking system, which was similar to that of a normal mountain bike, as ‘under-engineered for a bike of this performance’.
The rear brake was also faulty, the examiner found. The inquest heard that Jamie was aware of this when he purchased the bike not long before the crash, but as there were ‘no marks on the tyres consistent with lock-up or loss of control’, according to Mr Roberts, or any brake marks on the cycle path itself that could be conclusively attributed to Jamie’s bike, this was not deemed a factor in the crash.
The crash occurred at 4:55pm and was partially captured on the CCTV system of a nearby industrial yard. Travel information taken from mobile map updates from Jamie’s phone showed he had been travelling at an average speed of 26mph at the time.
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The CCTV footage ruled out any third party involvement in the crash.
Forensic collision investigator Gordon Saynor also appeared as a witness at the inquest. Mr Saynor ruled out all environmental factors as possible causes for the crash. Toxicology results showed no alcohol or drugs in Jamie’s system at the time of his death and the bike itself was also ruled out as a contributory factor.
Ultimately Mr Saynor said he was ‘unable to provide an explanation as to why Jamie left the cycle path onto the grass verge’ where he struck the telegraph pole.
Before the paramedics arrived at the scene, a bystander performed chest compressions on the 17-year-old, who showed few signs of external injuries apart from a grazed head. An ambulance arrived thereafter and despite the best efforts of paramedics en route, he was pronounced dead at the Countess of Chester Hospital at 6:03pm.
Jamie’s mother, Jane Clutton, told the court that Jamie’s tragic death has left a ‘massive unexplainable hole’ in the family.
The 17-year-old was the youngest of three and his two sisters were also present at the inquest. Ms Clutton went on to say that her son was ‘well-mannered, well-known and well-respected’ and that he ‘had time for everyone’.
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