Rhys Smailes death in A690 Crook motorbike crash was accident, inquest

Crook: Rhys Smailes tragically lost his life on the A690 at Hemlington Row in the early hours of August 13 last year.

The 21-year-old was out riding with his friend Matthew Walton when they ran into trouble. One of their bikes broke down, and they called Matthew’s step-dad for help, as the inquest revealed.

After realizing the bike was beyond repair, they headed back to Crook. Rhys then decided to take another motorbike to show his mum his riding skills.

As he rode towards Willington on the A690, his step-dad was following in a Volvo. Unfortunately, Rhys lost control while taking a bend and crashed off the road. Despite the paramedics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His step-father, Daniel Welsh, shared his experience, saying he lost sight of Rhys as he approached a bend. When he came around, he saw dust and smoke and quickly realized something was wrong.

He found Rhys lying on the grass next to a speed limit sign. Daniel immediately called for help and started CPR until paramedics arrived. Rhys’ mum was also brought to the scene, but sadly, he was declared dead about 40 minutes later.

Crash investigator Carl Lee mentioned that he couldn’t find any reason for Rhys’s bike leaving the road. There were no issues with the bike or the road, and CCTV showed Rhys riding safely, wearing a helmet and at what seemed to be the speed limit. Although cannabis was found in his system, it didn’t appear to affect his riding that day.

Rhys had taken the bike without permission and wasn’t insured. The court heard that while he might have been looking behind him, there was no solid evidence to support that theory.

A pathologist confirmed he died from multiple traumatic injuries. Rhys’ mum, Becky, expressed her heartbreak, saying it was hard to accept that he was gone.

In closing, Assistant Coroner Simon Connolly stated that Rhys’s death was an accident, offering his sincere condolences to the family for their loss.