Family of woman who died in crash pay tribute
The family of a woman who died in a collision while cycling home have paid tribute to the keen folk musician and "experienced cyclist all her life" after a driver was jailed for causing her death.
Mary Emerson-Reed, 63, was riding along the B3081 between Tollard Royal, on the Wiltshire/Dorset border and Shaftesbury, Dorset, with a friend at about 23:00 BST on 23 June 2023 when she was knocked off her bike.
Alan Morris, 75, was jailed for 10 months earlier this month after admitting causing death by careless driving.
In tribute issued via Wiltshire Police, her family said Ms Emerson-Reed was "a ride leader for Gillingham Wheelers cycling club and a key member of Blackmore Vale Cycling Club".
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Ms Emerson-Reed was "also named as a Community Champion by Cycling UK in the year she was killed", they said.
Known for her enthusiasm and expertise, her family said the "competent and sympathetic ride leader" had "toured widely on her bike", notching up 10,000 miles (about 16,000km) in one year alone.
"She was killed riding home from the Ashmore Filly Loo, a folk festival celebrating Midsummer's Day, which reflects Mary's other great passion as a folk musician.
"She played the folk fiddle, in addition to which she was a first violinist in the Shaftesbury Symphony Orchestra," they added.
Her family also said Ms Emerson-Reed was an active member of the Shaftesbury community, volunteering at the Hill Top Litter Pickers and Stourhead.
"Mary is much missed by family, friends and colleagues," they added.
Mr Morris, of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, was also disqualified from driving for 29 months and told to pay a surcharge of £187, at Salisbury Crown Court.
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Speeding driver, 75, jailed after killing cyclist, 63
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