The fatal collision near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire caused the deaths of Rhodie Thackwray and Jack Agius
The A40 west of Llandovery in Carmarthenshire (Image: Google)
Two people were killed when a motorcyclist without a helmet or the correct licence crashed on a main road while over the drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard. Emergency services were called to the A40 between Llandovery and Llandeilo on the evening of October 26, 2024.
Two men – Rhodie Thackwray and Jack Agius, who both lived in Llandovery – were confirmed dead at the scene. An inquest into the deaths was held at Llanelli Town Hall on Monday, when Carmarthenshire coroner Paul Bennett heard that Mr Thackwray, who was 56, was riding the Honda motorcycle at the time of the crash.
Mr Agius, who was 29, was a pillion passenger. No other vehicles were involved in the fatal incident. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here.
Evidence was given at the inquest by David Stacey, a forensic collision investigator at Dyfed-Powys Police. Mr Stacey said the crash happened at around 7.30pm on the day in question and that the road surface was dry. It was dark at the time but “visibility was good, with no discernible winds”.
Mr Thackwray lost control of the red Honda motorcycle on a right-hand bend on the A40 as it was heading from Llandovery in the direction of Llandeilo.
The vehicle came into contact with a kerb and both the rider and the passenger were thrown from the bike, which then proceeded to slide and flip along the road for approximately 85 metres.
The inquest heard that no pre-existing defects were found on the Honda and that the section of the A40 where the crash occurred was in a good condition.
One helmet – which was being worn by pillion passenger Mr Agius – was found some distance away from the point where the motorcycle made contact with the kerb.
Mr Thackwray was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to Mr Stacey, a conclusion he arrived at by looking at the head injuries sustained by both men in the incident.
Mr Stacey also told the hearing that Mr Thackwray did not hold a motorcycle licence which would allow him to legally drive on UK roads.
Meanwhile, a post-mortem revealed that Mr Thackwray had an alcohol reading of 124mg per 100ml of blood – the legal limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood.
Mr Stacey told the hearing: “Having considered the evidence made available to me the exact reason why the Honda has collided with the nearside kerb is unknown. It should be considered that the alcohol level in the rider’s system was above the legal limit.”
He added that the speed limit on the relevant section of road is 60mph, but there is “insufficient evidence” to be able to conclude how fast the Honda motorcycle was travelling leading up to the crash and at the point of impact. However, he said that “evidence suggests speed was involved” given how far the motorcycle slid after the impact.
When asked at the hearing if he believed Mr Thackwray’s riding ability would have been impaired by his alcohol intake prior to the crash, Mr Stacey answered: “I would probably say yes.”
Coroner Mr Bennett read details of the post-mortem examinations carried out in respect of both deaths. They revealed that Mr Thackwray and Mr Agius both died as a result of “multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a road traffic accident”.
Speaking at the hearing, Mr Agius’ widow said: “Jack was a caring young man. He cared for everyone including people that he didn’t know. He would give money to the homeless. He put others before himself. He was a great father and an amazing husband.”
Concluding the inquest, Mr Bennett said “it was likely that both speed and alcohol consumed played a part in the events that occurred” and that both rider and pillion passenger sustained “catastrophic and fatal injuries”.
Mr Bennett formally recorded a short-form conclusion of road traffic accident in relation to both deaths.
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