Buggy driver cleared in fatal Center Parcs crash

A man has been cleared of a driving offence after a woman died following an accident at a holiday village.

Penny Bulpitt, 67, from Luton, was using a cycle when she was involved in a collision with an electric buggy being driven by 66-year-old John Davies, at Center Parcs Woburn Forest, in September 2023.

Both worked at the site in Millbrook, Bedfordshire, and Davies, of Swift Close, Flitwick, had gone on trial at Luton Crown Court accused of causing death by careless driving.

But a judge directed a jury to return a not guilty verdict after concluding that there was "insufficient evidence" to convict Davies.

Jurors began hearing evidence in the case in January.

Judge Michael Simon made a ruling and told jurors to clear Davies, after hearing prosecution evidence.

He said he had considered submissions from a lawyer representing Davies, and a prosecution lawyer about the evidence against Davies.

"As a matter of law there is insufficient evidence in this case for a jury to convict," the judge told jurors.

"The correct verdict as a matter of law is not guilty."

Police had said Bulpitt was on a pedal bike when she was involved in a collision with an "electric all-terrain vehicle" on Friday 22 September.

Officers said she died the following day.

Her family said she was "loved by everyone who knew her".

Center Parcs said Bulpitt's family, friends and colleagues had been supported after the accident.

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