The family of a woman who died in a collision while cycling home near Shaftesbury have paid tribute to her.

Mary Emerson-Reed, 63, from Shaftesbury, sadly died after being knocked off her bike on the B3081 between Tollard Royal and Shaftesbury, a mile east of Zig Zag Hill, at around 11pm on June 23, 2023.

In a court hearing earlier this month a man was jailed for 10 months for death by careless driving.

In a moving tribute, Mary’s family said in a statement: ‘Mary was a keen and experienced cyclist who had cycled all her life. A ride leader for Gillingham Wheelers cycling club and a key member of Blackmore Vale Cycling Club, she was named as a Community Champion by Cycling UK in the year she was killed.

‘She toured widely on her bike, in one year managing to notch up 10,000 miles, and was a competent and sympathetic ride leader, known for her enthusiasm and expertise.

‘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.

‘An active member of the Shaftesbury community, as a volunteer gardener at Stourhead and as a member of the Hill Top Litter Pickers, a local volunteer group, Mary is much missed by family, friends and colleagues.’

Mary and a friend had been cycling on the road with their lights lit and wearing high-viz tabards when Mary was struck from behind by a Vauxhall Insignia driven by Alan Morris.

Morris, 75, of Budbury Circle, Bradford on Avon, initially claimed to have been unable to see her due to the lights of a car coming from the opposite direction.

Forensic enquiries following the collision, however, demonstrated that Mary and her friend would have been visible from a distance of at least 200 metres due to the lighting on both Mary and her friend’s bicycles.

Morris was also found to have been driving at around 69mph, above the 60mph limit.

Morris eventually pleaded guilty to death by careless driving.

In a hearing at Salisbury Crown Court on May 9, he was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for 29 months, when he will need to pass an extended test of competence. He is also required to pay a surcharge of £187.

T/DC Alex Collins of the Serious Collision Investigation Team said: ‘This is a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mary’s family during this undoubtedly traumatic time for them.

‘It has been a lengthy process to get to this point, with numerous complex enquiries needing to be completed, including a reconstruction of the incident. I’d like to thank them for their patience and I hope this sentence can bring an element of closure.

‘There can be no excuse for Morris’s driving. Mary and her friend had their bicycle lights illuminated and they were correctly wearing high visibility, reflective clothing given the late hour.

‘Morris had ample opportunity to see Mary and failed to do so, colliding with her and sadly causing fatal injuries.

‘Careless driving is one of the fatal five driving offences – the five offences most likely to lead to serious injury or death.

‘This sad case highlights the importance of giving your full attention to the road, no matter the hour.’