Heartless trolls blame devastated parents of teens, 15 and 16, killed in deadly motorcycle crash – as harrowing final video shows them together on newly-bought trail bike
Two teenage boys killed when their petrol powered dirt bike slammed into a bus in Sydney’s west had both shared a haunting final video of themselves riding the same bike together.
Adrian Lai, 15, and William Drake, 16, were zipping along the Liverpool Parramatta Transitway at Bossley Park when they collided with a bus at around 7.15pm on Monday.
The bike, which was being ridden in tandem became wedged underneath the vehicle and both boys tragically died at the scene.
William, who had only recently purchased the bike, had previously shared the same footage as Adrian of them riding it – in what would become their final chilling post.
In the clip, posted to TikTok Adrian is seated behind William as they speed down a residential street before William performs a wheelie.
William is wearing a full face helmet with just shorts and a t-shirt, while Adrian has no protective clothing or a helmet.
Both boys also uploaded several other videos in their carousels, including a mirror selfie together and more clips showing off hair raising tricks.
Friends flooded social media with tributes, remembering the pair as fun-loving boys and passionate trail riders.
But news of the boys’ deaths, in the wake of growing calls for tougher laws around e-bikes, also drew criticism directed at their parents.
William Drake and Adrian Lai died on Monday when the motorcycle they were riding hit a bus
Within hours, harrowing footage began circulating on social media showing the motorcycle trapped beneath the front of the bus
‘Why were they out at dark on this bike, where were the parents?’ commented one person.
Another added: ‘How many lives need to be lost before something is done, why are the parents allowing them to have these bikes.’
Tributes have flowed in for the popular young boys.
One friend recalled seeing Adrian that same day and not knowing it was going to be the last time. ‘Rest in peace Adrian, one of the most funniest ones I knew,’ they said.
Another friend said: ‘William, never thought I’d lose you this early. Thank you for everything you taught me on the bike. I’d be nowhere near where I am without you.’
‘It’s a wake-up call to everyone – get rid of these bikes, they are not toys. It kills to know you’re gone and doesn’t feel real.’
William’s older brother, Byron Drake, also shared his grief, thanking a family friend for posting a tribute. ‘Thank you so much for this video you have posted for my little bro,’ he wrote.
Friends have since organised a memorial ride in honour of the boys, set to take place on April 3 at Bankstown Airport, urging those attending to ‘ride safe and respect the day.’
The bike was wedged under the front of the bus
Adrian often posted pictures of himself performing stunts on his bike
There was also an outpouring of concern for the driver of the bus, who was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
‘That poor driver,’ said one person. ‘He was just trying to do his job.’
‘We need to spare a thought for the driver who has to live with this for the rest of his life, as well as the families who have lost their boys,’ added another.
Police said neither the driver nor any passengers on the bus at the time of the crash were injured.
While the teenagers were initially suspected to have been riding an e bike, transport officials later said it is now believed to have been a petrol powered trail bike.
While the teenagers were initially believed to have been riding an e-bike, transport officials later confirmed it is now thought to have been a petrol-fuelled trail bike.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said it was a tragic scene that would impact many.
‘We’ve got two young boys who won’t grow up, we’ve got two families who will grieve forever at the loss of their loved ones,’ he told Radio 2GB.
Friends have organised a ride in memory of the teens
The pair were riding tandem at the time of the crash
‘Importantly as well, we’ll have a bus driver who will be significantly impacted, and for our first response officers, our emergency services who have to attend these scenes, they are incredibly difficult to go to.
‘So our thoughts are very much with the families and certainly those impacted.’
The crash came just hours after NSW Police revealed they had issued 170 fines during a two-day operation targeting illegal e-bikes in Sydney’s south last week.
Officers spoke to more than 215 e-bike and e-scooter riders last Wednesday and Thursday and issued a further 99 cautions.
‘More than 250 people were breath-tested and 26 people were drug-tested,’ police said in a statement on Monday morning.
‘There were five e-bike riders who tested positive to drugs.
‘Police laid five charges for criminal offences and 21 traffic charges.’
Traffic and Highway Patrol operations commander Anthony Boyd said officers take illegally modified e-bikes and dangerous riding seriously.
The tragedy comes as new laws allowing NSW Police and Transport for NSW to seize and crush illegally modified e-bikes are set to be introduced into parliament
Tributes poured in for the best mates with classmates sharing their memories of the pair
‘NSW Police will continue to conduct operations to prevent reckless riding where other road users and pedestrians are put at risk,’ Superintendent Boyd said.
It comes as new laws allowing NSW Police and Transport for NSW to seize and crush illegally modified e-bikes are set to be introduced into parliament.
The proposed laws are aimed at curbing the growing use of throttle-only high-powered e-motorbikes, which authorities say are fuelling dangerous anti-social behaviour.
The legislation has been modelled on existing laws in Western Australia, where police already have the power to seize and destroy illegally modified bikes.
In an Australian first, the laws will also introduce roadside dyno units designed to detect whether an e-bike can exceed the 25km/h speed limit.
Transport Minister John Graham said the changes marked a significant step forward.
‘We don’t want to discourage safe and healthy e-bike use, but we do want to discourage dangerous and illegal e-motorbike use and these powers will do exactly that,’ he said.
