At the IW Coroner’s Court in Newport on Wednesday, November 12, Coroner Caroline Sumeray concluded that Owen Bartlett, 20, from Cowes, and Taylor Antwiss, 20, from East Cowes, both died as a result of a road traffic collision.
The crash happened shortly after 1pm on January 11, 2022, when a Honda Civic, driven by Bartlett, collided sideways into a Toyota Proace van on Whippingham Road, near the junction with East Cowes Road.
Behind the wheel of the van was delivery driver Steven Miller, who suffered minor injuries.
The court heard that Bartlett’s Civic lost control on a long right-hand bend, spinning 90 degrees into the path of the oncoming van.
Witnesses described seeing the vehicle as travelling “well over 50mph,” and “potentially over 80mph” in the 50mph zone before it lost grip and spun.
Mr Miller, who did not attend the inquest, said in a written statement: “All I could do was brace myself for impact.”
His airbags deployed, and glass smashed into the van, leaving him dazed but conscious.
Forensic collision investigator Laura Bailey told the court the Civic had been “modified both inside and out,” including aftermarket seats and a steering wheel, and the airbags had been removed as part of these modifications.
Coroner Sumeray said: “It was not a sensible decision to remove them,” though she added that, given the catastrophic damage, “I don’t think it would have made a difference in this case.”
The coroner noted that the extent of the damage was “horrifying,” attributing it to the speed at which the Civic was travelling.
She said the photos of the aftermath were “amongst the most upsetting road traffic incident photos” she had ever seen.
While forensic teams were unable to determine the exact speed of either vehicle, Ms Bailey said the Civic was “believed to have been travelling at excess speed.”
She confirmed that there were no defects on either vehicle, and that Mr Miller was in no way at fault.
Mr Miller’s wife, who did attend the court, asked whether there was anything her husband could have done to avoid the crash.
Ms Bailey responded that there was evidence that Mr Miller had attempted to veer left away from the Civic, but there is very likely “nothing he could have done.”
Both young men were described as well-loved and kind individuals.
Mr Bartlett, who was born in Portugal, worked as a barista, while Mr Antwiss was an apprentice electrician.
Their families chose not to be present at the hearing and were instead represented by police liaison officers.
A post-mortem revealed that Mr Bartlett died from severe traumatic chest and abdominal injuries, and Mr Antwiss from multiple traumatic injuries.
Toxicology reports showed no drugs or alcohol in Mr Bartlett’s system.
Following the tragedy, tributes poured in for the two young men.
Mr Antwiss’s family said: “Our son and brother Taylor, was the best, he was loving, caring and kind. We are so lucky to have had him for 20 years.
“He has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled. Our hearts go out to Owen’s family, who must be as heartbroken as we are.”
Mr Bartlett’s family said: “Owen was the most amazing, kind, gentle, funny boy.
“We are lucky to have had him in our lives, and we will miss him every day for the rest of our lives.”
Delivering her conclusion, Mrs Sumeray said: “They would have barely known what happened. It’s a tragedy, and my heart goes out to their families.”
She recorded a short-form conclusion of ‘road traffic collision’.
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