Champion motorbiker's girlfriend finds him dead in crash 'where they fell in love' in Worcestershire

A former British mini-motos champion has died in a motorbike crash, on the road where his girlfriend said “they’d fallen in love”.

Ryan Hastings, 32, known as Titch, was killed in a collision on the A456 in Bwedley, Worcestershire.He was riding his beloved green Kawasaki Ninja motorbike he called ‘Zoe’ on Monday August 21 at around 4.35pm, when he collided with a red Vauxhall Corsa.

Ryan’s girlfriend of two years, Chloe Doughty, said she became anxious when she couldn’t get hold of him for over five hours.

Retracing his steps in her car, she came across the road closed off by police and “knew instantly” it was her partner.

Chloe, 22, from Arley, said: “I was at work that day and I think he must have been going to see his friend in Far Forest.

"When I finished work, I couldn’t get hold of Ryan, which was unusual.“After five and a half hours of his friends not hearing from him either, I went round his house and the lights were off and the dog was barking.

"I decided to drive around and when I got to the bypass and saw it closed off by police, I knew instantly it was to do with him.“I went through the cordon and the police stopped me but I said I won’t go until I know if he’s safe.

"After I confirmed his details and date of birth, they told he’d died. He was my whole life and then he was gone.

“I fell in love with him on his bike on that road where he died.

"He’d take me out on the back of the bike and on that special day, we’d ended up in Aberystwyth and come back there after midnight. I knew then.”

Ryan was British mini-motos junior champion in 1998-99 and boasted about once beating motorbike racer Chaz Davies in a race on the World Superbike and Moto GP star’s own track.

Brought up on a farm in Cleobury in Shropshire, Ryan’s family later moved to Kidderminster, where he settled down.

His mum and step-dad Kim and Bob Hastings, who now live in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, are coming to terms with the tragedy along with his brother Craig Summers.So is Ryan’s beloved Jack Russell dog, Rocky, who was his “pride and joy”.

Chloe is now looking after Rocky, who Ryan would photograph on his bike and even has his own Instagram page.“Ryan had so many friends all over the country,” added Chloe.

“He was as daft as a brush and so lovable. When he met his friends, he’d give kisses on the cheek rather than a fist bump and got away with it because it was him.“Motorbikes were Ryan’s passion, from since he was a child. He’d been riding them since he was a little dot and became a qualified mechanic.

"When he took me out on the bike, he’d say ‘you don’t need to worry, I was British champion’.“He would talk about beating motorbiker Chaz Davies when racing him on his own track. He’d done road racing, go-karting and was a brilliant mountain climber.“He was always full of energy - he could never sit still. Titch loved the outdoors and being in the woods or up a mountain.

"He was wild and very funny and had a story for everything. He loved to party."

A Go Fund Me appeal towards Ryan's funeral costs has raised £3,840.

Chloe said she was in limbo not knowing exactly what happened to Ryan on the day he died and is urging witnesses to come forward to the police, to help give her and his family "closure".

“He knew his way around a bike, which is why it’s so hard not knowing what happened on the day he died," added Chloe.

"It was a day with perfect driving conditions.“There were apparently four or five other cars around when the accident happened, but the police don't yet have clear evidence or footage.

"My heart goes out to anyone who saw it, but please come forward and talk to the police so me and the family can have closure.“The worst part is not knowing what happened to Ryan. I'm prepared for whatever the outcome is, I just need to know."West Mercia Police has said that the fatal collision happened at approximately 4.35pm on Monday August 21 and involved a red Vauxhall Corsa on the A456 in Bewdley.PC Saman Barzanji from West Mercia Police said: ‘‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this sad time.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information or dash-cam footage which may help with the investigation to call me."PC Barzanji can be reached by calling 101 and then extension 7733402 or email at saman.barzanji@westmercia. police.uk.