Cyclist Guy Wharton Was Killed When His Bicycle Was Hit By A Car On the Cat and Fiddle

The wife of a teacher killed after being hit by a car has spoken of her anguish as the driver of the car was sentenced after earlier pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Guy Wharton, 46, was fatally injured in a collision with a blue Renault Clio on the A537 Buxton New Road in Macclesfield, also known as the Cat and Fiddle, one of Britain’s most dangerous stretches of roads.

Specialist road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are acting for Francesca Wharton, Guy’s wife, and have been supporting her and the family since the fatal accident.

At Chester Crown Court, Philip Lea Christian, 42 from Buxton, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two and a half years after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving on 14th February.

Francesca, who married Guy in 2001, said: “The pain that I and the rest of the family, feel will not diminish and disappear as a result of this sentencing.

“We acknowledge that sentencing has been handed down, but it does not change the fact that we have been handed a life-sentence and have to live every day without a beloved husband and father because of the actions of this man.

“Guy had such a zest for life, was fit and healthy and loved teaching as well as his cycling and spending time with his family. It is still hard to believe at times he is no longer with us. We continue to miss him dearly.”

Guy, who was a science teacher at Tytherington School in Macclesfield, was cycling home after enjoying a ride after work when the incident occurred. Christian was overtaking another vehicle and a cyclist on a bend when he collided head on with Guy who was travelling in the opposite direction on his bicycle, killing him on impact.

Matthew Garson, an expert serious injury and road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family said: 

Expert Opinion

“Road safety is a cause we are passionate about as we see first-hand on a daily basis the impact that collisions can have on people’s lives – particularly vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

“Unfortunately, this is a heartbreaking example of this and the consequences of failing to be fully aware of other road users while driving can be fatal and devastating. Due to Christian’s actions, three children will now have to grow up without their father.

“Nothing is more important than your own safety and the safety of others on the roads. It is vital that people remember this when while driving, particularly on dangerous stretches of road.

“The family ask that you please respect their privacy as they continue to try and rebuild their lives following their tragic loss.” Matthew Garson - Partner

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in fatal accident claims.