Family of beloved headteacher Michael Mullins thank those who helped in his final moments

The widow of Stretford headteacher Michael Mullins has thanked those who have “shown great compassion” and supported them after he was knocked off his bicycle and dragged to his death.

Michael, from Weaverham, was cycling home from work on 20 April when he was struck by a black Volvo XC90 which failed to stop at a give-way junction on Warburton Lane.  He became trapped near the front-left wheel and the driver Simon Richardson drove off with Michael, 56, underneath the car.

At times, the car was seen to be doing up to 60mph in a 30mph zone.  Michael was dragged for more than a mile, before Richardson got out and tried to dislodge him before driving off again with Michael still under the vehicle.  Michael was eventually dislodged as the car moved and was left near a hedge on a grass verge in Lymm.

He was found by a motorcyclist but died at the scene, around 40 minutes after the initial collision.

Loved ones instruct specialist road traffic collision lawyers

Following the dad-of-two and grandad-of-one’s death, his loved ones including wife Sarah instructed specialist road traffic collision lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate what happened and provide the family with the support they require.

Six months on, Sarah, 57, wishes to thank the members of the public, emergency services and police family liaison officers who helped her husband and supported them after he died.

Matthew Garson, the road traffic collision expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Michael's family, said:

“Losing Michael so suddenly and in such traumatic circumstances has had a profound impact on all who knew and loved him.

 

“In particular, his loved ones understandably remain devastated by their loss and the criminal trial has led to them having to relive it all over again. Hearing how Michael died would undoubtedly have been unbearable for them.

 

“While nothing will ever change what they’ve been through, Sarah and the rest of the family want to focus on remembering the gentle and loving person that Michael was. They also want to publicly acknowledge the people who were there for Michael in his final moments, and those who have supported them following his death.

 

“It’s provided them with a bit of comfort during an incredibly difficult time.

 

“Michael’s death, however, is also a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that innocent people can face as a result of the selfish actions of others. His family are the ones now facing a life sentence.

 

“It’s therefore vital that road users take care at all times.”

Michael was headteacher at Stretford Grammar School for 17 years. He and Sarah had been together for 33 years and married for 27.  They had one daughter, one son and one granddaughter.

Widow speaks out on "kind, generous and endlessly supportive" husband

Sarah, a retired teacher, said: “The past six months have been the worst of our lives. The pain has been unimaginable and, still to this day, I can’t believe that Michael won’t ever be coming home.

“He was the most devoted husband, dad and grandad, and the world was a much better place with him around.  I can’t even being to explain how it feels having to navigate the rest of our lives without him.  He was our safety net – kind, generous, funny and endlessly supportive.

“He also believed deeply in helping others and spent his life making a difference through his work in education.  I know there are many who will miss him dearly.”

She added: “While this has been the darkest time for us, we will never forget the help and support we’ve received from others, especially those who stayed with Michael when he passed, and the emergency services and first responders who battled to save him.

“Although they were strangers, they did their best to comfort my husband and, while nothing will ever take away our pain, that’s something I’ll never forget.

“We’ve also been shown great compassion from so many people throughout the last six months and we really can’t thank them enough.  Our Michael was irreplaceable and will be missed every single day.”

Driver sentenced to a minimum of 25 years

On Friday 30 October, a jury found Richardson guilty of murder and dangerous driving.  Today, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years, with an 18-month concurrent sentence for dangerous driving.  He is also disqualified from driving for life.