AN experienced motocross rider died after coming off his bike on a jump and suffering a “devastating” brain injury at a Powys track, an inquest has ruled.
Duncan Powell, 35, died on July 29, 2024, just days before his 36th birthday, following an accident at a race track near Penybont the previous day.
The married father-of-three, from Knucklas, near Knighton, died following what his family called a “freak accident” at a motocross track where he had been competing at an event on July 28, 2024.
An inquest hearing held at Pontypridd Coroner's Court last Thursday, June 11, concluded that Duncan’s death was an accident.
Coroner Patricia Morgan, for the South Wales central area, determined that Duncan’s medical cause of death was a traumatic brain injury, sustained in a motocross accident.
“Duncan Powell was an experienced motocross rider,” read a statement in the record of inquest, released by the court.
“On the morning of July 28, 2024, he was taking part in a motocross event at a track in Penybont, Llandrindod Wells.
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“During the course of navigating a jump, he has become detached from his bike and sustained a devastating brain injury.
“This was confirmed following his conveyance to the University Hospital of Wales thereafter. He died there from the complications of his injuries on the afternoon of July 29, 2024.”
Duncan, who was born in Knighton on August 2, 1988, and lived at Greenfields, Knucklas, was the husband of Tamsin, with whom he had two daughters, and was also a stepfather to Theo.
His family described him as having a “smile that went from ear to ear”, and made clear that no-one was to blame for his death.
They said he died in a freak accident doing a sport he had loved since he was a child.
“Duncan was always happy, with a smile that went from ear to ear,” they said in a statement.
“(He was) a very hard-working young man who would help out anybody. He had a motocross accident on his bike, doing the sport he loved from a young age.
“(We) would also like to mention that it was a freak accident and was nobody’s fault.”
Duncan’s funeral took place on August 17, 2024, with a celebration of his life held at Knighton Community Centre afterward.
It led to a parade of around 300 motocross and quad bikes streaming through Knighton behind the funeral car.
Childhood friend Robbie Steele, who grew up on the same street as Duncan, and described him as an “incredible friend”, was key in organising a fundraiser in July 2025, where 19 of his closest friends took on the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike in 24 hours.
“He was full of life, energy and passion for motocross,” said Robbie.
“I grew up on the same street as Duncan and had known him since we were little. He was always into biking – BMXs and later mountain bikes and motorbikes.
“I remember him creating jumps on the plant patch in his garden as a kid, digging up his parents’ flowers for jumps.
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“I remember the day he got his first motorbike. His dad had a yard, he was a lorry mechanic, and Duncan got into it through him. It had been his passion all his life.
“He was a joker and worked like a madman; he worked seven days a week. He was always doing something for someone else, be it fixing cars or lorries.
“He would do anything for anyone and was a great guy.”
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