Cyclist Guy Wharton Was Killed When His Bicycle Was Hit By A Car On Notorious Stretch Of Road

The wife of a teacher killed when hit by a car while cycling is speaking out with her legal team to back Road Safety Week’s campaign for motorists to get ‘Bike Smart’.

Guy Wharton, 46, was fatally injured in June 2016 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.

Guy, who was a science teacher at Tytherington High School in Macclesfield, was cycling home from work when the incident occurred. The driver of the vehicle that hit Guy was overtaking another vehicle when he collided with Guy’s bicycle, killing him on impact.

Following the collision, Guy’s widow Francesca instructed specialist road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office to provide her with support and help her gain answers regarding the incident.

Two years on from Guy’s death, his widow Francesca has joined with the legal experts to mark Road Safety Week. 

Taking place from November 19th, this year’s campaign is based around the theme of ‘Bike Smart’ and is calling for road users to do more to protect those who travel on two wheels.

Francesca, who married Guy in 2001, said: “The pain that I and the rest of the family felt in June 2016 hasn’t diminished. We still miss Guy daily and we always will.

“He was a great husband, father and teacher and was well-respected by all those who knew him. He had such zest for life, was fit and healthy and loved teaching as well as his cycling and spending time with his family.

“One of the most devastating aspects of his death was learning how common collisions are on the stretch of road where Guy’s accident occurred. 

“While nothing will ever bring him back, I am speaking out in support of Road Safety Week to help the fight for serious action to be taken to reduce the numbers of incidents which occur in this area.

“No other family should have to suffer as we have and, with Road Safety Week’s theme of ‘Bike Smart’, it seems like the time for action is undoubtedly now.”

The driver of the car, Philip Lea Christian, 42 from Buxton, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on 14th February this year. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two and a half years.

Matthew Garson, the serious injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office who represented Fran, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Two years on from Guy’s accident, Francesca and the family remain understandably devastated by their loss.

“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.

“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.

“Considering the theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, it feels like the right time to speak out on the issue and call for something to be done to improve safety in this area.” Matthew Garson - Partner

Read about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in road accident cases.