SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - One of the top motoring journalists in the world, Kevin Ash (53) died in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday evening (22 January) at 19:15 on the Baviaanskloof road near Uniondale.
Ash was staying in the Hyatt Hotel at Oubaai as a guest of BMW Motorrad for the international press launch of the latest BMW R1200 GS motorcycle. As part of the launch the journalists, who all stay at Oubaai Hyatt, were treated to daily rides in the area.
According to the police, it seems that Ash, the motorcycling correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in England and a fellow journalist, both lost control of their motorcycles on the gravel road and were thrown from their bikes. Ash died on the scene while the other journalist was taken to Mediclinic George. The spokesperson for Mediclinic George was not available for comment.
A case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
Head of Communications of BMW SA, Guy Kilfoil told the George Herald Ash’s death is a great loss to the motorcycle industry. “Kevin’s death comes as a great shock to all of us. He was simply the most fantastically brilliant, witty, family man. It is just so sad, but he realised like most bikers that biking is a hazardous pastime. Our thoughts are with his wife and three daughters and we are doing everything in our power to help them through this difficult time.”
Kilfoil says all indications are that Ash died instantly and he was declared dead on the scene. At the time of the accident, Ash was riding with four bikers of a group of 20 international journalists currently here for the launch. BMW has booked the Hyatt as the base for the 300 odd journalists who are attending the launch between mid-January and mid-February.
According to Kilfoil, Ash’s remains will be flown back to England as soon as the coroner in Oudtshoorn releases his body,
His wife and daughters are yet to decide if they will come to South Africa.
Kilfoil says out of respect to Ash and his family the launch of the new motorcycle has been postponed until next week and should resume on Monday.