Verdict of misadventure recorded for father and son TT competitors 

Roger and Bradley Stockton died after a crash at Ago's Leap

This story contains information which some readers may find upsetting:

The coroner of inquests has recorded a verdict of misadventure following the deaths of two TT racers who died in a sidecar race last year. 

Father and son duo Roger and Bradley Stockton, from Cheshire, were killed when their machine crashed near Ago’s Leap on 10 June. 

Both men suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene, on Quarterbridge Road, following the incident in the second lap of the second sidecar race.

At Douglas Courthouse today (3 March) Jayne Hughes concluded the inquest into the deaths of 56-year-old HGV driver Roger and 21-year-old apprentice mechanic Bradley.

She told the court that evidence provided by witnesses confirmed that sidecar number 34 had suffered from distortion to its fairing, when hit by the wind, something which changed its shape. 

This, she said, could have caused the bodywork to make contact with the front wheel or handlebars adding: “The question mark remains over the cause of the collision.”

Yesterday the court heard from the TT’s technical director, and vehicle examiner, who said the distortion would have been hard to see at lower speeds and to the ‘naked eye’. 

The Stocktons had been ‘black flagged’ during the first sidecar race but technical inspectors in scrutineering had recorded no defects ahead of their final race. 

Evidence was also provided from spectators who’d watched the crash happen from their viewpoints on the TT Mountain Course. 

One described seeing the sidecar outfit ‘revolving in the wrong direction’ another described an ‘almighty explosion’ and debris being thrown into the air which injured a number of spectators. 

“It was like there were bullets being shot through the air,” he’d added.

Referring to the evidence given to the court Coroner Hughes said it was ‘extremely fortunate’ that no spectators, or marshals, were seriously injured or killed as a result. 

Ruling out issues with the road surface at Ago’s Leap she said there was ‘no obvious reason’ why the sidecar had veered out of control before crashing into the garden wall. 

She also addressed the deaths of French sidecar duo Cesar Chanal and Olivier Lavorel who were involved in a fatal crash, at the same spot, in the first sidecar race. 

“The four deaths at Ago’s Leap, on different days during TT 2022, were a tragic coincidence,” she concluded. 

The court heard TT organiser ACU Limited has made a number of changes ahead of this year’s event which would provide ‘even closer scrutiny’ of sidecar machines.

These include pre-event ‘MOT style’ checks ahead of the racing fortnight and an increased use of technology by scrutineers working in the technical bay. 

Formally closing the inquest Coroner Hughes told the court: “There can be no doubt that road racing, particularly the TT, is a dangerous event.”

Addressing the Stockton’s family and friends she added: “I do understand how greatly you’ll be missing Roger and Bradley.”