A combination of three factors caused the death of a teenager described as a “gentle giant”, an inquest has concluded.
Joshua Luke Sharpe, from Rishton, died on June 22, 2024, at the Astley Raceway MC in Tyldesley.
An inquest into the 19-year-old’s death was held at Bolton Coroner’s Court yesterday (July 3).
Coroner Michael Pemberton, who oversaw the inquest, said that Josh, who lived on Hermitage Street, was a drainage engineer.
Reading a statement from Josh’s mum, Samantha Bloomer, the court heard about his love for sport – especially football – and his time playing for Rishton United and Hyndburn Youths.
Mr Pemberton said: “Alongside all of that, he developed a fascination for bikes – and he loved them even before he could walk.
“When he was a toddler, he had a toy bike which he took with him everywhere – even taking it with him to his bedroom.”
He read how Josh would go to the racing track every Sunday with his dad to “just ride and have a good time”.
At over six feet tall, he said Josh was described as “a gentle giant”, a “brilliant big brother” and “always there for members of his family”.
Mr Pemberton said that Nicole had said “he seemed quite excited to get back onto the bike” because he hadn’t ridden for a while.
He read that Josh’s mum had been making a barbecue at the time she got the call, telling her that Josh had been in an accident.
Mr Pemberton said: “At that point, you thought he was still alive.”
After calling Josh’s friend, a policeman answered and told her that a police car would come to take her to the scene.
Mr Pemberton said: “You were taken by the police car to the scene and subsequently told that he had died.
“At that point Josh was in the back of the ambulance – and you couldn’t believe that he had passed away.
“You tell me that losing Josh has broken the family – but in some way has brought you all together because you’re all feeling the same grief.”
Two representatives from Wigan Council gave evidence at the inquest to answer the question of whether the track had contributed to the accident.
Racetrack owner Paul Smith was also present – he said that the bag which had all the waiver forms in was stolen on the day of the accident by “some lowlife”.
He said: “Whoever took the bag probably didn’t know that was in the bag because on top was a fancy jacket and some trainers.”
The bag, which was lifted from a van, also had “an amount of cash” inside.
Frances Lindley, environmental officer for Wigan Council, said that some witnesses had “raised concerns about the track”.
She said she “wasn’t confident with taking a decision on whether the track had any bearing on the accident” so brought in some experts to make a report.
Ms Lindley said: “There were concerns in the report – but they weren’t in relation to this accident.”
The experts raised concerns about the safety of the marshalls who “weren’t protected enough” and “a section in the middle where the tracks ran closer than the guidelines”.
Dr Richard Shepherd, a pathologist, gave the post-mortem examination report into Josh’s death.
He gave the cause of his death as a traumatic basal subarachnoid haemorrhage – a bleed on the brain resulting from the rupturing of two small arteries in the spine.
He said: “It’s one of those injuries that once it occurs – the chance of survival or successful resuscitation are so tiny as to be considered impossible.”
Ms Bloomer asked if this meant that Josh’s death was quick.
“We know that bleeding of this type is catastrophic and instantaneous.”
Hassan Kurimbokus, a forensic toxicologist for Toxicology UK, presented Josh’s toxicology report to the inquest.
He said that ketamine was found in his system at amounts that “could have affected the ability to control a motorcycle.”
Mr Kurimbokus said: “Ketamine is what is known as a dissociative anaesthetic, it disrupts the connection between the brain and the body.”
He said that the amount found in Josh’s body was “consistent with recreational use”.
Cannabis was also found in his system as well as a metabolite of cocaine, which indicates recent usage.
Mr Kurimbokus stressed, however, that it was not clear when he had last taken cocaine because the metabolite can stay in the system for several days.
He said: “Cocaine wasn’t found, it was just its metabolite.
“It doesn’t cause any sort of high – it’s just a marker that cocaine had been used at some time prior to death – but there’s no way of knowing how long before death.”
Mr Kurimbokus said that the metabolite can stay in the system for “several days” but that cocaine can also break down into the metabolite after death.
He said that there was THC found in amounts "consistent with recreational use.”
Mr Kurimbokus said: “I would say the combined use of cannabis and ketamine was significant enough to impair the control of a motor vehicle.
“For cocaine – it’s impossible to say.”
The inquest heard how paramedics tried to save Josh’s life by administering CPR and shocking him with a defibrillator.
But when he didn’t respond to the second shock – they were in agreement that he could not be saved and he was declared dead at 2.45pm.
Andrew Page, detective inspector with GMP and head of the serious collision investigation into his death, said there was no CCTV so the investigation relied on eyewitnesses.
He said that some had “described him as landing and accelerating” but were “not sure if he had accelerated or if the throttle was stuck”.
Josh’s friend, Lloyd Hill, who he had gone to the track with said they arrived at 10.10am. He said he had been on that particular race track before, but Josh hadn’t.
Mr Pemberton said: “At 1.55pm, Josh was a fair distance ahead, and Lloyd makes mention of one biker who both he and Josh tried to catch up with for a laugh.
“Lloyd gave up – but Josh continued to go after him.”
He said that he saw Josh go over the jump before going into the ditch.
Mr Pemberton said: “He ran over to Josh, thinking he would just get up – but he didn’t.
“Then he saw blood around his ears and mouth and knew it was serious.”
One witness said that the track condition that day was “damp and muddy” – making it great for motocross – though it had dried a bit by the afternoon.
Another witness said that he didn’t think Josh was “going very fast” and said he “seemed to land on his front wheel but went straight instead of following the track to the right.”
Another witness who was there with his son told him, after viewing the second jump, “not to ride it because it looked dangerous.”
He said that the track had dried out by the afternoon which “knocked some air out of his son’s tyres”.
Mr Page said that Josh’s bike was inspected after the accident, and it was found to be “acceptable”.
He said: “It’s unlikely that a serious and obvious defect existed.”
However, the tyre pressure was found to be low, which Mr Page said was “consistent with the heavy landing.”
He said: “The tyre pressure was a bit too low and that may have had an effect on the loss of control.
“The front wheel was heavily impacted when he landed the second jump, and the shock absorbers extended fully.
“This caused the spokes to breach their capabilities.
“He exited the track to the left and became unseated.”
Mr Page said that drugs had “likely been taken by Josh at some point up until the incident” but “can’t say to what extent these had played a part”.
He said that Josh’s partner had described him “as having become addicted to ketamine over the past year.”
She said that the night before he had been out with friends and came home at around 1.30am.
Mr Pemberton, said that it was unknown how much the substances may have affected Josh, as they affect people in different ways.
He said: “I might have a glass of wine and you might have a glass of wine – but it might have a totally different effect for both of us.
“I might not have had a glass of wine in months – and one goes straight to my head – or I might be used to having a glass of wine with a meal.”
He said that the accident resulted from a combination of three factors.
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Mr Pemberton said: “On the balance of probabilities, the evidence shows that we have substances in his system, unfamiliarity with that track and the mechanical feasibility of that motorcycle – and from what I’ve heard this is not something that was apparent – just a gradual wearing down.
“I don’t think it would be safe to say that one had been above the others – but all three together have created an imperfect situation leading to that loss of control.
“And that temporary loss of control was all it took to cause that.
“He was a confident rider who had plenty of experience riding bikes.
“Josh was loved by members of his family, respected by colleagues at work and had ongoing commitments to friendships – together with his dedication to his partner.
“He had a busy life where he was working hard – and playing hard.
“On the balance of probabilities, I find it’s likely that the three factors – mechanical, his tyre pressure being low, toxicological in terms of the effects those substances would have had on his reaction time and perception and unfamiliarity with the course all contributed to the loss of control which resulted in the catastrophic injuries to Josh.”
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Mr Pemberton gave a short-form conclusion of death by misadventure and paid his condolences to the family.
He said: “Josh’s loss in life was premature – but it’s clear to me that he was undertaking an activity at that time which was important to him.
“And just as important as the precious time he provided to his friends, family and partner.
“For what little it will be worth, my thoughts will be with you and I wish you all the best in the future.”
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