Hotel Manager Involved in Tragic Wedding Reception Accident
In a heart-wrenching incident, a hotel manager accidentally struck and killed the mother of the bride during a wedding reception. The tragic event unfolded at the Coniston Hotel and Spa in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Collision
On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, 66-year-old Judith Wadsworth lost her life when she was hit by 64-year-old Nicholas Bannister, who was driving his Range Rover. Judith had been crossing a raised pedestrian walkway at the luxurious hotel when the accident occurred.
The Unfortunate Drive
Following the collision, Bannister continued to drive for about 20 meters before stopping. He only halted when he heard unusual sounds beneath his vehicle. When a hotel employee, who witnessed the incident, rushed to assist, Bannister claimed to have no knowledge of what had transpired.
Denial of Responsibility
Bannister vehemently denied any wrongdoing, repeatedly asserting to staff and wedding guests that he hadn’t seen Judith before the collision took place on February 7, 2020.
The Victim
Judith Wadsworth, a grandmother, had been gathering wedding items from her vehicle in the hotel’s parking area. She was on her way back to the reception when the tragic accident occurred.
The Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutor Michael Smith informed the Bradford Crown Court jury that the incident occurred during twilight hours. Bannister had his headlights on and hit Mrs. Wadsworth at a speed of 9-12 mph as she stepped onto the walkway.
The court was shown CCTV footage from the hotel lobby, depicting Mrs. Wadsworth bringing in wedding items while Bannister engaged in conversation with staff minutes before the fatal collision.
The Circumstances
Smith explained that Mrs. Wadsworth, like others, was simply going about the routine process of bringing items into the hotel. Bannister, meanwhile, was running errands and had left the reception to drive to the hotel spa.
The Heart of the Matter
Smith stated, “What’s at the heart of this case is whether the defendant was driving with due care and attention as he drove his Range Rover around his hotel complex.”
The prosecution contended that Bannister’s failure to see a pedestrian crossing the walkway, even when he collided with her, constituted evidence of careless driving. Bannister’s defense, on the other hand, argued that it was an unfortunate accident and that he had taken care to perform the correct maneuver.
The Critical Moment
The court heard that Bannister turned right on the one-way turning loop and failed to notice Mrs. Wadsworth, who was dressed in a cream-colored coat, crossing the walkway from his left. He remained unaware of the collision even as he continued to drive for about 20 meters before the sounds beneath his car prompted him to stop.
Witness Account
The sole eyewitness to the collision, hotel employee Natasha Hobson-Shaw, had stopped her vehicle to allow Bannister to make his maneuver. She observed Mrs. Wadsworth approaching the crossing, saw Bannister’s vehicle, and witnessed the collision. According to Smith, “There is no doubt Mrs. Wadsworth did step into the roadway, and no doubt Mr. Bannister drove into her and over her, which is what she saw.”
A Tragic Incident
In the aftermath of the incident, it was evident that Bannister had no understanding of the tragic event that had unfolded. The trial continues, as the court seeks to determine the facts surrounding this heartbreaking accident.