Inspirational Jason Liversidge, who broke speed records in his wheelchair, dies aged 47

Pioneering record breaker, Jason Liversidge, who set speed records in his electric wheelchair, has tragically passed away at the age of 47.

Jason died peacefully at his home in Hull, UK, on Saturday 5 August with his loved ones around him, his heartbroken wife Liz has announced.

A proud dad to daughters Lily and Poppy, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2013 and was left paralysed from the neck down, but he didn’t let that stop him becoming a daredevil record breaker.

Jason set the record for fastest speed by an electric mobility-vehicle (prototype) in September 2020 at a whopping 66.826 mph (107.546 km/h).

He said at the time: “My wife Liz thinks I’m slightly barmy for doing it, although she’s 100% behind me.”

And Liz added: “Jason has always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

“For anyone to do it would be pushing the limit. So, he's pushing it to the extreme of what's possible.”

And he wasn’t done there.

He also set the record for fastest speed achieved by a head operated electric mobility-vehicle (prototype) in August 2022 with an incredible 48.42 mph (77.92 km/h).

He set both of his records at RAF Elvington in North Yorkshire, UK.

Jason’s incredible feats raised money for research into MND.

Paying tribute to the inspiring figure, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday said: “We deal with the world's most determined and motivated human beings here at Guinness World Records, but even among this elite group of record holders, Jason stood out as being uniquely inspirational. 

“His passion and persistence - in the face of a such a destructive physical condition - energized everyone around him, and it was always wonderful to see him welcomed so warmly on to the race tracks by his fellow thrill-seekers. 

“With the help from his loving family, Jason never stopped wringing absolutely everything out of life, and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to be present at his record attempts and to document his story in the GWR books. A great loss.”

Announcing his tragic passing on Facebook, Jason’s wife Liz wrote: “Thank you for being the best husband & father that we could ask for.

“You will be forever young and remain alive always in our hearts and minds.

“We love you! Fly free my love.”

Jason took on many incredible physical feats following his diagnosis with the rare and incurable condition that affects the brain and nerves.

In 2017, he climbed Mount Snowdon – the highest point in Wales at 1,085 m (3,560 ft) – in his wheelchair.

And later that year, he abseiled off the Humber Bridge, in Yorkshire.

Jason sped down the longest zipline in Europe, descended 33.5 m (110 ft) down the Lancaster Hole pot-hole in the Yorkshire Dales, and even did a lap of Silverstone in a Formula One-style car.

He once told us: “Having a life-limiting illness isn't a reason to stop living.

“Inspirational is a word that gets used a lot, although I don’t like the term because I’m just doing what I think is the right thing for my family.

“Wouldn’t any parent try to make the best of it for their children’s sake?”

Jason raised thousands to help fund MND research, and even if he didn’t like to label himself an inspiration, that’s exactly what he was.

Rest in peace, Jason.