Motorist who left college professor to die within the street after reversing over him in his Land Rover is discovered responsible of careless driving

A motorist who left a university professor to die in the road after reversing over him in his Land Rover has been found guilty of careless driving.

Leading academic Simon McQueen-Mason, 64, was cycling near Shorwell on the Isle of Wight when Timothy Cale, 59, backed into his path before driving off. 

The University of York biology professor was later pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered catastrophic chest injuries and multiple fractures.

Cale, who denied wrongdoing throughout his six-day trial, claimed he believed his Land Rover Freelander had been hit by a fallen tree branch. 

But jurors at Portsmouth Crown Court found him guilty of causing death by careless driving.

He was made subject to an interim driving disqualification and was bailed to be sentenced at the same court on January 16.

During the trial, Cale insisted his driving was not at fault for McQueen-Mason’s death, claiming he only realised what happened when he later returned to the scene.

He said he reversed from New Barn Lane onto Main Road to turn around, believing it was the ‘safest option’ due to parked cars.

Timothy Cale, pictured, left a university professor to die in the road after reversing over him in his Land Rover and has been found guilty of careless driving

Leading academic Simon McQueen-Mason, pictured, was cycling near Shorwell on the Isle of Wight when Cale backed into his path before rushing from the scene

Cale also claimed to have checked his mirrors carefully and to have only felt the impact after beginning the manoeuvre.

Accident investigators testified that, based on Cale’s account, the cyclist would have had nine to 11 seconds to see the car before impact, going at the 30mph limit.

They also said scuff marks on the road suggested braking moments before the collision.

Experts agreed the Land Rover was at a 40-degree angle in the road, with limited visibility due to a blind corner.

Witnesses who rushed to Prof McQueen-Mason’s aid said they saw the motorist driving his Land Rover Freelander away from the scene with a smashed rear windscreen.

Cale, then owner of Shorwell Village Stores, even smiled and waved at one passing couple he knew, the court heard, while one witness heard a scream followed by the sound of breaking glass a second later.

The driver said he was devastated when told the damage to his car was due to the collision and not a fallen branch, and claimed he would have stopped immediately had he known a person had hit his vehicle. 

Instead, he drove home to check his Land Rover with the intention of returning to the scene to ‘remove the branch from the road’.

In a tribute to the professor, the University of York described his ‘unusual’ rise to become a leader in his field and branded him ‘brilliant’

He told the court: ‘I was devastated. Total shock. I apologise sincerely. I don’t consider my driving as careless.’

Roadside drug and alcohol tests came back negative.

Russell Pyne, prosecuting, told the court: ‘He made a careless manoeuvre. His decision to reverse may have saved him a few seconds, but it led to a catastrophic collision and the loss of life.’ 

In a tribute to the professor, the University of York said: ‘His path to academia was unusual. He left school at 17 without any A-levels and worked as a professional fisherman, eventually owning his own boat.

‘The money he earnt from fishing funded his passion for travel. It was while travelling that he became curious about living systems in the natural world, particularly in the marine environment.

‘This inspired him to write a letter to Portsmouth Polytechnic at the age of 26 and convinced them to offer him a place to study Biological Science.

‘He had not studied biology since the age of 13 and initially struggled but he persevered and graduated with a First-class degree.’

Prof McQueen-Mason worked at the University of York for almost 30 years.

The university added: ‘He had many international collaborators and his relaxed laid-back manner put everyone at ease in his company. He was a brilliant, creative scientist and was much loved by his group.

‘Simon was devoted to his family and is survived by his partner Claire, former wife Florencia, and his children Ian and Sofia.

‘He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues across the world.’