Motorcycle teen died in city crash after failing to stop for police check

A MUCH-LOVED teenager died in a crash after being pursued by police who tried to stop the motorcycle he was riding because it was not displaying a licence plate.

- ROBERT DALLING

A five-day jury inquest has been held at Swansea's Guildhall into the death of Alexander Rhys Lewis, who died at the scene of a collision on St Helen's Road, Swansea at around 8pm on Friday, December 2, 2022.

The crash involved a motorcycle, ridden by Mr Lewis, and another vehicle, and happened following an attempted traffic stop by South Wales Police.

The police force voluntarily referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct at the time in accordance with national protocols, and three years later, an inquest has been held to examine the circumstances into the 19-year-old's death, concluding yesterday.

It heard how the teenager, from the Cockett area of Swansea, was a former Grange primary and Bishop Gore school pupil, who followed carpentry as a career path, first on a college course and then as an apprentice for W4K Construction.

He was described as an "accomplished sportsman", who loved playing rugby, cricket, squash, and football, and who also enjoyed running and swimming. He had a wide circle of friends, and was also an avid gamer, who would play games online with friends for hours at a time.

Mr Lewis was teetotal, and would only ever have soft drinks when socialising with friends. He took great pride in his appearance, with a love for fashion, and also loved dance music, regularly "dancing with his mum in the kitchen".

The inquest heard how he had "made a great impact on many people in young life".