Four die after quad bike collides with sports car

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/27/three-people-killed-in-quad-bike-crash

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The brother of one of four people who died after a quad bike collided with a sports car said that he was days short of his 21st birthday.

Two women, aged 18 and 16, and a 20-year-old man on the quad bike were confirmed to have died at the scene, between Upton and Hemsworth, West Yorkshire, and a second 20-year-old man was taken to hospital with critical injuries to his head and body.

The driver of the quad bike was named locally yesterday as rugby enthusiast Ryan Beal, 20, who would have turned 21 on Saturday, according to his bother Steve, who also said the other 20-year-old victim was Ryan Beal’s good friend Brandon Brown.

He died on Sunday morning at Leeds General Infirmary, West Yorkshire police said. Officers were called shortly after 12.30am to a report of a collision between a bronze Nissan 350Z sports car and a quad bike on the A6201.

Two men aged 21 and 22, who were in the car, were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and remain in police custody.

Speaking from the field at Upton rugby club, where Ryan used to play rugby, his brother Steve, 26, said: “He was a caring dad. He had played rugby for around 10 years from the age of seven, only stopping when his daughter Ruby was born.

“He was into all sorts from fishing, to going out with the dog, but his baby, Ruby, was his pride and joy he loved her to bits. He also was into his quad biking and used to take his quad bike out quite a lot off road but I don’t know what he was doing with it out on the road.

“He would have been 21 on Tuesday. All the rugby lads had planned on taking him out next Saturday.” Steve said his brother, who worked as a window fitter, had only recently separated from Ruby’s mum, Chloe Spendlove, two months ago.

The road where the collision happened remained closed on Monday, and morning traffic was being diverted away from the scene. Police tape was strung across the grass verge and tied to barricades and road and footpath closed signs.

Beyond the cordon, a single police officer stood next to his van, guarding the entrance to the crash site, which was shrouded in fog.

DCI Richard Holmes, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Widespread investigations are continuing into what is a significant incident on the district’s roads, which has now tragically resulted in the loss of four lives.

“Painstaking investigative work is continuing at the scene and the road itself will not be reopened until tomorrow. The victims are from the local area and are two men, aged 20, and two females, aged 18 and 16.

“Their families are currently being supported by specially trained officers and we are not in a position to release any further details of those who have lost their lives at this time.”

He added: “We continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision and would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen an unregistered quad bike driven on the roads around the Hemsworth area in the evening of 26 September 2015 and up to 00.30 on 27 September 2015.

“Similarly, I would appeal for any witnesses who saw a bronze-coloured Nissan 350Z driven in the Hemsworth area on the evening of 26 September 2015 and up to 00.30 on the 27 September 2015 to come forwards.

“Anyone who has information is asked to contact the major collision and enquiry team on 101.”