Apprentice engineer was killed by ‘impatient’ van driver overtaking in heavy fog, inquest hears

An apprentice engineer was killed by an ‘impatient’ van driver who overtook him in heavy fog, an inquest has heard.   

Alex Edwards, 22, from Guilsfield, Powys, was riding his motorcycle carefully home from his girlfriend’s house when he was hit by Barry Phillips on September 16, 2024.

The van driver, 53, attempted a ‘really dangerous overtake’ in ‘really dense fog’ on the B4393 near Llandrinio Bridge, in Llandrinio, Powys, the court heard. 

But he did not see Mr Edwards’ black Kawasaki motorbike travelling in the opposite direction – and struck him head on in his white Vauxhall van. 

Phillips, from Llanymynech, Powys, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving a year after the crash – but died before he was first due to appear in court. 

He was found dead in the back of his van weeks after being charged, a separate inquest heard.

Coroner Andrew Morse heard it was suspected his death was ‘unnatural’.

In a statement, Mr Edwards’s family said: ‘Alex didn’t just die; he was killed by a reckless and selfish decision to overtake in impossible conditions.

Alex Edwards (pictured), 22, from Guilsfield, Powys, was riding his motorcycle carefully home from his girlfriend’s house when he was hit by Barry Phillips on September 16, 2024

‘The evidence shows that on that foggy morning, Alex was doing everything right, simply trying to get home to his family.

‘While the van driver’s subsequent death means we were denied justice in a criminal court, it does not change the facts. Alex was a blameless victim.

‘We hope that by speaking out, other drivers will realise the lethal power they hold in their hands.’

Witness Alex Beddows, who is a lorry driver, told the inquest into Mr Edwards’s death that on the morning of the crash, he saw Phillips’s lights behind him on the B4393.

He described the fog as ‘really bad’ and ‘dense’ and could not believe Phillips was attempting to overtake him in such conditions.

Mr Beddows said he then looked at the road ahead and saw Mr Edwards’s headlight coming towards him.

He heard a loud bang and saw debris everywhere, before the van came to a stop in the roadside hedge.

The lorry driver said that as he stayed with Mr Edwards, Phillips kept repeating: ‘I don’t know what happened.’

Mr Beddows added: ‘He should not have overtaken for the amount of fog on the road.’

Fellow motorist Danielle Andrew, who was driving behind Phillips, told the inquest: ‘The van indicated, and I thought he was going to overtake.

‘I wouldn’t have gone for an overtake, mainly due to the amount of fog. I couldn’t see very far. I thought it was a really dangerous and risky overtake.’

Mr Edwards’s girlfriend and his family were using an app to track his journey at the time – and soon realised he had suddenly stopped moving as he returned home.

His father Steven Edwards told the hearing: ‘I want people to understand the power that they have in their hands when they take control of a motor vehicle.

‘Alex was doing nothing wrong that morning but was killed by someone who chose to do a highly dangerous manoeuvre.’

Coroner Rachel Knight concluded Mr Edwards died in a road traffic accident.

In a statement issued after the hearing, Alex’s family added: ‘Alex was kind, gentle and funny. 

The van driver, 53, attempted a ‘really dangerous overtake’ in ‘really dense fog’ on the B4393 near Llandrinio Bridge (pictured, file photo), in Llandrinio, Powys, the court heard

‘One impatient moment has destroyed our tight-knit family of four, leaving us with a lifetime of “what ifs” and a void that can never be filled.

‘Alex’s future has been stolen from him and us. We will never see him get married, and we ache for the grandchildren we will never get to hold. Our grief has no end.

‘We want to thank Dyfed-Powys Police and our community. 

‘We especially wish to thank those members of the public who were first at the scene; though there was nothing more that could be done for Alex, we are grateful for the care and dignity they showed him.

‘To every driver: please think of Alex. Don’t let your decisions behind the wheel become another family’s nightmare.

‘Alex will be loved and missed forever by all his family and friends.’

A full hearing is yet to take place.