French probe into wine boss' death criticised

Philip Tuck was a qualified master of wine

A coroner has criticised the French police investigation into the death of the co-founder of a premium wine merchant killed in a crash with a car while on a cycling holiday.

Philip Tuck, 59, from Old Basing, near Basingstoke, Hampshire, who was a qualified master of wine and worked for Ascot-based Hatch Mansfield, was riding in the Burgundy area when he was struck by a car on 20 July 2023.

An inquest into his death heard Mr Tuck's son Felix and his friend Tom Caine avoided being hit by the BMW which went on to collide with Mr Tuck, who was riding at a distance behind them.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Simon Burge said the investigation left "many unanswered questions".

In a statement read to the hearing at Winchester Coroner's Court, Felix Tuck described how his father was "happy and enjoying the ride" on a road "wide enough for two cars".

He said he and Mr Caine had turned around and rode back up the hill to find people attempting to help his father with his "smashed up" Pinarello bike at the side of the road.

Coroner Simon Burge said attempts were made to save Mr Tuck's life by the driver and other members of the public before police and ambulance arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner said the driver of the BMW, a French man with his daughter in the rear seat, told police the first two riders had cut across to the wrong side of the road on the bend.

He claimed the collision happened when he was unable to avoid hitting Mr Tuck who had taken the same approach to the bend.

'Ghastly accident'

Mr Burge added the police determined the crash was an accident and the driver would not be prosecuted.

Mr Tuck's widow, Kate, told the hearing she was concerned the driver had provided "inconsistent" statements, particularly by giving varying estimates of his speed from 50kph (31mph) to 70kph (43mph) in the 80kph (50mph) zone.

She added photographs of the scene suggested the crash happened before the bend.

Mrs Tuck said: "It was a ghastly accident however we look at it and nothing will bring him back, but it's hugely disappointing if I feel the record states that my husband was riding on the wrong side of the road and there is no independent evidence to corroborate."

Mr Burge said: "I do not reach any conclusion that Philip, Felix or Tom were riding recklessly."

Criticising the investigation, the coroner, said: "Sadly the investigation carried out locally by the gendarmerie was inadequate in my view and leaves many unanswered questions."

In a tribute to Mr Tuck released after his death, Hatch Mansfield said: "Philip was an immensely kind, loyal and considerate man."