A tragic motorcycle accident linked to a pothole has drawn attention to road safety issues in Stoke-on-Trent, after the untimely death of a local father. Andrew Freakley, aged 43, was involved in a fatal collision on September 25 last year, having been thrown into the path of an oncoming vehicle after hitting the pothole while riding home.
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Freakley was riding his motorcycle on Park Hall Road when the incident occurred. He was reportedly trying to overtake a truck when his bike struck the pothole, leading to a collision with a Volvo. Despite being an experienced rider, Freakley was unable to regain control of the motorcycle following the impact with the road defect, which ultimately resulted in the fatal accident.
The local council had been informed about the pothole on two separate occasions prior to the tragedy, with the first report made on May 7, 2025, and a subsequent warning issued on September 11, just two weeks before the collision. According to Lindsey Tonks, the North Staffordshire coroner who reviewed the case, the presence of the pothole significantly contributed to Freakley’s death.
“Andy was an experienced rider,” Tonks stated during the investigation, adding that he was familiar with both his motorcycle and the specific stretch of road. However, the destabilisation caused by the pothole compromised his ability to navigate the overtake safely. While it was noted that Freakley was travelling slightly above the speed limit at the time of the crash, authorities found that he was carrying out a simple overtaking manoeuvre, highlighting that his driving was not reckless.
The coroner emphasised that the Volvo driver had taken all necessary precautions to avoid the accident. “This was a completely unavoidable situation for the Volvo driver,” she concluded. “I’m satisfied that the presence of the pothole contributed to Andy’s death, alongside his speed and the manoeuvre he decided to execute at that time.”
The pothole in question was repaired on October 8, 2025, after the fatal incident had taken place. Reports indicate that the pothole had been classified by the council as a lower-risk defect, which contributed to the delay in repairs. In light of the tragedy, Freakley’s stepfather, Kevin Freakley, questioned why the road had not been repaired sooner, remarking on the council’s obligation to address identified risks within a reasonable timeframe.
Tonks noted that while guidance recommended repairs to be made within 45 days, there was no statutory obligation attached. “I can’t say they failed to uphold their guidance,” she added, indicating the ambiguous nature of the council’s responsibilities in such situations.
In a statement regarding the accident, a spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council expressed condolences to Freakley’s family, reiterating that their approach to repair scheduling is based on risk assessments and the thoughtful allocation of limited resources. “This was a tragic incident, and our sympathies are with Mr. Freakley’s family and friends,” the spokesperson commented, stating that the pothole’s size and location had led to its classification as lower risk.
Following the incident, tributes poured in from family and friends remembering Freakley as a “loveable rogue with a heart of gold.” Many expressed their sorrow at his passing, with one heartfelt tribute stating, “You have left us with a great big hole… You will be deeply missed. Always remembered in the cheeky stories shared together with all our family and friends.”
The loss of Andrew Freakley has reignited public interest in road safety and the maintenance of infrastructure within the region. As the investigation reveals the critical role that road conditions play in ensuring the safety of drivers, there are calls for local authorities to reassess their criteria for road repair prioritisation, in order to prevent future tragedies.