Center Parcs Worker Fatally Injured in Buggy Collision
An inquest heard that a Center Parcs employee died from a head injury sustained when her work bicycle was struck at low speed by an electric buggy driven by a colleague.
A Center Parcs employee, Penny Bulpitt, 67, died after sustaining a severe head injury when her work bicycle was hit by an electric buggy at the Woburn Forest resort. The inquest into her death revealed that the collision occurred on a one-way road on September 22, 2023, when the electric buggy, driven by colleague John Davies, struck her bicycle from behind.
Witnesses described the impact as occurring at approximately 9 mph. Davies, a maintenance worker, stated in a court statement that he did not have sufficient time to take evasive action before his buggy collided with Mrs. Bulpitt, who was the housekeeping team leader. He reported seeing her on the bicycle in front of him as he completed a left turn onto the road and felt she was turning towards him.
Mrs. Bulpitt was riding an orange work bicycle with a trailer attached for carrying items such as towels and linens. She was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Helmets were available for staff but were not mandatory and not always used. The electric buggy, a converted all-terrain Yamaha UTV, had a speed limiter preventing it from exceeding 10 mph and a large metal cabinet at the rear for tools.
The accident took place on a road within the resort that staff referred to as Penny Lane. Davies, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire, was later charged with causing death by careless driving, but he was cleared at Luton Crown Court in February. The judge determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed to a jury trial, noting that a police officer's evidence suggested a careful driver might not have seen Mrs. Bulpitt.
Center Parcs issued a statement expressing deep sadness at the passing of Mrs. Bulpitt, a popular member of staff who had worked at the Woburn Forest site for eight years. The company stated it was in contact with her family, offering support to them and affected colleagues, and cooperating with authorities.
Mrs. Bulpitt's family released a tribute describing her as someone "loved by everyone who knew her." The inquest was scheduled to conclude following the hearing.