Another crash occurred 'hours before' GP rider died

A crash occurred on the same stretch of road two hours before a rider died during Manx Grand Prix qualifying, an inquest has heard.

Louis O'Regan, 43, died in a crash between Keppel Gate and Kate's Cottage on the A18 Mountain Road during the opening qualifying session on 18 August 2024.

Another rider, Jamie Williams, who crashed on the same stretch of road two hours earlier, told Douglas Courthouse that he believed he had lost control as his rear tyre slid over water, arguing his incident could have been avoided if a "lack-of-adhesion flag" had been displayed.

In varying evidence, some witnesses noted water seepage on the road, while others said there seemed to be a problem with O'Regan's bike.

Williams told the inquest his own crash had occurred "solely" due to the water on the road, adding: "In my personal opinion, I didn't do anything wrong that day."

That incident, which occurred at about 14:28 BST, led to the session being red-flagged, with another session taking place prior to the resumption of the Supersport qualifying.

Evidence from Lisa Young, a marshal on that stretch of road, said there had been an unusually high number of riders "wobbling" on their bikes due to water seepage in the area that day.

She said water on the road was "always a conversation" among marshals on that stretch of course.

Deputy Sector Marshal Andrew Gale said he had reported the water seepage to Chief Sector Marshal Mark Johnston, who would have told race control - but the decision was made not to display lack-of-adhesion flags.

However, race control said they did not receive reports of the water seepage, the inquest heard.

John Barton, Deputy Clark of the Course, told the inquest that following Williams' crash, a traveling marshal raised concerns about that stretch of road.

However, he said that, with hindsight, had he been aware of the full extent of the water seepage, he would have put a rain flag up.

He noted that information of a damp patch in the area was displayed on the matrix board at the start line at the Grandstand following Williams' crash.

He said, in his opinion, O'Regan's crash at 16:50 was not caused by the water on the road but due to mechanical failure.

One spectator, Christian Gunson, said it "sounded like an engine misfiring," or "some form of mechanical failure" as O'Regan passed, and he appeared to be slowing.

He then heard a loud bang, and a "cloud of white smoke" came from O'Regan's bike, the inquest was told.

Gunson estimated O'Regan had been travelling at about 90 mph (145km/h) and was in second gear in the stretch, which was "unusual."

Riders would typically travel at 120 to 130mph (193 to 209 km/h) in third or fourth gear, the inquest heard.

Photographer John Faragher said O'Regan appeared to have lost control and was leaning in the opposite direction to other riders coming through that section in the moments before the crash.

The inquest is set to continue on Tuesday.

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