Man killed after app directed him onto dual carriageway on electric unicycle

A unicyclist died in a fatal collision after a navigation app directed him onto a busy dual carriageway, an inquest heard.

Benjamin Wells-Lane, 46, was riding an electric unicycle along a 40mph stretch of the A338 in Bournemouth, Dorset, on July 3, when traffic came to a halt in front of him. Unable to brake in time, the handyman swerved to the left and collided with a lamppost.

Emergency services attended and administered CPR, but Mr Wells-Lane, 46, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death was fatal bleeding resulting from a traumatic aortic injury.

The inquest heard that although Mr Wells-Lane held a valid UK driving licence, the self-balancing electric unicycle (EUN) he was operating was illegal to use on British roads.

His widow Patrisha said her husband hated cars and loved that he could walk or use his unicycle to get to most places.

She said he believed that this was better for the environment and would help create less traffic congestion.

Mrs Wells-Lane said the bike apps her husband used would often direct him onto the A338.

She said her husband was a “safety-conscious rider”, always equipped with a helmet, protective clothing and a high-vis jacket.

She said: "He was a skilled and well-practised rider. I believe the (A338) should not be marked as a bike route.

"There was nothing that could've controlled it, no safety gear that could've prevented injury."

The inquest heard he had left Richmond Hill roundabout and was travelling westbound on the A338 on July 3, but he faced standstill traffic almost as soon as he joined from the slip road.

Sergeant Burt, of Dorset Police traffic unit, said: "He attempted to slow when coming off the slip road and collided with a lamp post."

Sgt Burt said the traffic jam had been caused by a van driver stopping in the carriageway and getting out to retrieve an item.

It's believed that vehicles behind the van then began to slow down and come to a standstill, and that's when Mr Wells-Lane had the collision.

Police determined that no other vehicles were responsible and Mr Wells-Lane's unicycle had no defects.

On October 9, Richard Middleton, assistant coroner for Dorset, resumed the inquest into his death at Bournemouth Town Hall.

Coroner Richard Middleton recorded a verdict that Mr Wells-Lane died as the result of a road traffic collision.

Mr Wells-Lane, who was born in Utah, had moved over to Poole with his wife in January 2025. He died the day after their second wedding anniversary.

Paying tribute to her husband, Mrs Wells-Lane said: "He was truly one hundred per cent happy with his life, for the first time in his life.

"We never took each other for granted. We were partners in every way. It will never be okay that we lost so many years that we could have had together.

"He was very passionate about making the world a better place."

A memorial bench has been installed in tribute to Mr Wells-Lane on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, which was one of his favourite places and where he volunteered for the Dorset Wildlife Trust.