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Distraught friends and family of Bradley Wilder have paid tribute to the 20-year-old after he died in a motorbike crash during a police pursuit on Saturday night.
Police initially believed Wilder’s motorbike was not registered due to the partially obscured number plates on the vehicle. After he failed to stop, police started a pursuit at King St in Newcastle.
Bradley Wilder’s death was described as a “tragic set of circumstances”.Credit: Facebook
Police chased Wilder south on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown for five minutes before he lost control of the bike and hit a traffic pole. Wilder was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
A critical incident investigation to review all aspects of the pursuit – including the manner of driving for all parties involved, and the appropriateness of police actions – is now under way.
“Bradley was such a soft spoken, well behaved and respectful young man towards absolutely everyone he crossed paths with,” cousin Monique Wilder said in a statement.
“I have [sic] drove with him a few times he has ridden his bike since purchasing it, and he has always been such a safe rider so for all this speculation and knowing him as the person he is it is definitely out of character for him.”
Wilder was treated by emergency services, but he died at the scene.Credit: Nine News
Wilder was preparing to take care of his ill father, Craig, to Sydney for a lung transplant and become a post-operation carer for three months, which Monique said he was “so keen” on after seeing his dad struggle for years.
She also said he enjoyed playing video games and spending time with his family, and was saddened that Wilder would not be around to see his father’s health possibly improve.
“I’m so very heartbroken – my baby cousin taken way too soon under such avoidable circumstances,” she said.
Bradley Wilder.
“One wrong mistake and it cost him his life, which he did not deserve at all.”
Tributes from Wilder’s friends were also posted on social media, one writing on Facebook: “Sadly today was the day I lost the best friend and first friend I ever had, and it hurt me so bad, and I’m forever gonna miss you and I love you so much.”
Assistant commissioner David Waddell described Wilder’s death as a “tragic set of circumstances”.
“We’ve got a young 20-year-old man who has passed away,” he said.
“We have spoken with the family, and we’ll continue to work with the family and support them, and likewise support our police who are obviously traumatised by the incident.”
Waddell confirmed police had previous interactions with Wilder over traffic matters, but said there was “certainly no adverse history”.
Police will investigate whether there are links to a similar incident in which another motorbike was racing in the vicinity that evening. A separate pursuit took place but was terminated.
Police have CCTV footage of the incident and have made an appeal for anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV footage or knowledge of the event to come forward.
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