The Newshound

Navigation app directed man onto illegal dual carriageway route on his electric unicycle, killing him

Benjamin Wells-Lane, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene after a navigation app routed him onto the A338 dual carriageway, a road electric unicycles are banned from using.
Benjamin Wells-Lane, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene after a navigation app routed him onto the A338 dual carriageway, a road electric unicycles are banned from using.

Benjamin Wells-Lane, 46, died on July 3 after a navigation app sent him onto the A338 dual carriageway in Bournemouth, where he was unable to brake in time for stationary traffic and struck a lamppost. A post-mortem found he died from a traumatic aortic injury. His widow Patrisha told the inquest he died the day after their second wedding anniversary.

The electric unicycle Wells-Lane was riding was illegal on British roads, though he held a valid UK driving licence.

Patrisha Wells-Lane said her husband was a safety-conscious rider who always wore a helmet, protective clothing and a high-vis jacket, and believed cycling reduced congestion.

She called for the A338 to be removed from bike app routes, saying 'there was nothing that could've controlled it, no safety gear that could've prevented injury.'

MoreThe TelegraphUnicyclist killed after ‘app sent him down dual carriageway’ - The TelegraphThe TimesUnicyclist killed after app directed him on to dual carriagewayThe IndependentMan killed after app directed him onto dual carriageway on electric unicycle
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →