Ermin Street deaths: Pair killed after falling off motorbike at 80mph

Rider Daniel Hackett and passenger Shane Whitson lost control of their Suzuki motorcycle on Ermin Street in March 2022 having overtaken a vehicle on the 30mph residential road.

Daniel, 35, died after hitting roadside furniture, and Shane, 31, died after suffering multiple traumatic injuries when he hit his head on a telegraph pole, an inquest into their deaths heard on Wednesday.

The hearing, at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court, was told that both men had consumed alcohol before getting onto the bike.

The Salisbury-based court was told that a driver recalled seeing two people near the railway bridge putting on helmets and getting onto a one-seat Suzuki motorcycle at around 7pm. Shane was the pillion passenger and Daniel was the rider. 

The motorist then saw the motorcycle revving its engine behind him while he travelled northbound on Ermin Street.

He moved right to go around vehicles parked near the Ermin Food and Wine store, and the motorcycle overtook him while accelerating.

Shane Whitson was the passenger of the motorcycle (Image: Wiltshire Police)

After passing the car between the junctions for Grange Drive and Church Street, the Suzuki moved back to the left - and fishtailed.

As it lost control, Shane fell due to the harsh acceleration and a lack of means to secure himself to the vehicle. In that instant, the bike rolled further to the left, which caused Daniel to also fall off.

Nearby pedestrians rushed to help and called 999, but Shane and Daniel died at the scene.

An examination of the motorcycle found that it did not have a secure place for a passenger to sit or place their feet, and that having a second person would be dangerous and cause instability.

A police report estimated that the motorcycle had been going around 64mph when it overtook the car and reached speeds of up to 79mph at the point it began to wobble and slide.

The police report, read to the inquest, said: "It was unstable before passing the Ford. As it began to overtake the Ford, Whitson lost his balance due to the machine’s design while sitting on a smooth section over the back wheel.

"It was not an appropriate place or time for the Suzuki to overtake."

Police on Ermin Street after the accident in March 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

After their falls, Shane suffered multiple traumatic injuries after he hit his head on a telegraph pole, and Daniel struck roadside furniture.

Area coroner, Ian Singleton, formally concluded that both men’s deaths were due to a road traffic collision.

After the crash, Shane's mum Jenny said in a tribute: "Shane was such a wonderful son, he will be so missed by all of us. He had a lot of friends and loved to make people laugh.

“He used his practical skills to help people out wherever he could - it was the kind of person he was.

“He was very kind and generous. He was a wonderful son, brother, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, and cousin.

“He was also a fantastic father to his 10-year-old daughter Ella, who he would spend weekends with, enjoying outdoor activities such as kayaking and rock climbing.

“Shane was a true Swindonian and lived in the town all his life.

“We all have so many good memories of him. We will miss our wonderful Shane who left us far too soon."

In the months that followed this tragedy, stickers of Shane appeared all over Swindon in a street art tribute that prompted an outpouring of touching messages from those who knew him.

Graham Guppy said in a statement read out at Wednesday's inquest: "Shane was my best friend and like a brother to me. He was an amazing person, he would do anything for anyone, and was the life and soul of the party.

"It was not the norm for him to get on a bike, it's all out of the blue."

Katie Braid, mother of Shane's daughter Ella, told the Adver that he was much-loved and missed and that Ella adored him.