Royal Navy Veteran and Father-of-Five Richard Skilton Named as Victim in Fatal M27 Motorcycle Collision
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have formally named 66-year-old Richard Skilton as the motorcyclist killed following a major collision on the M27 motorway near Portsmouth.

Richard Skilton died after his Triumph motorcycle was involved in a collision on the M27 (Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)
Incident Details and Emergency Response
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Date and Time: Thursday morning, October 16, 2026, at approximately 6:39 a.m.
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Location: The M27 motorway corridor between Junction 9 (Segensworth/Fareham) and Junction 12 (Portsmouth), Hampshire.
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Vehicle Involved: A black and white Triumph motorcycle operated by Skilton.
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Highway Impact: Emergency medical teams, fire crews, and highway police responded to the scene, where Skilton was pronounced dead. The multi-junction section of the motorway remained closed for several hours during peak morning commuter traffic to facilitate collision reconstruction, forensic mapping, and debris clearance.

Victim Background and Family Tribute
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Personal Profile: Skilton was a 66-year-old resident, devoted husband, father of five, and grandfather of ten, with an eleventh grandchild expected.
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Military Service: He completed a full-length career with the Royal Navy, spending decades in active military service.
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Motorcycling Community: Family members described him as a lifelong, passionate motorcycling enthusiast with extensive riding experience.
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Family Statement: Relatives issued an official tribute through police channels:“He completed a full career in the Royal Navy, dedicating many years of his life to serving his country. A passionate motorcycle enthusiast, Richard will be remembered for his love of family, his naval service and the memories he leaves behind… He had an eleventh grandchild on the way that he will unfortunately never get to meet.”
Investigative Status
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Lead Agency: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit.
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Current Focus: Detectives are conducting a comprehensive collision investigation to determine the exact sequence of events, examining road conditions, morning visibility, and potential vehicle interactions. Police have appealed to any motorists traveling on the M27 between Junctions 9 and 12 around 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. who witnessed the incident or possess relevant dashcam footage to contact investigators.