Cyclist was physiologically alive under car, court hears

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

A cyclist trapped beneath a car after a collision was physiologically alive, a court has heard.

Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old head teacher from Weaverham, was physiologically alive while trapped beneath a car and after being dragged along Wet Gate Lane, a court heard on Monday. Simon Richardson, 35, is on trial accused of Mr Mullins's murder. The court heard evidence from consultant in emergency medicine Dr Terrance McLoughlin, who said Mr Mullins remained physiologically alive underneath the vehicle and after being deposited on the lane.

Dr McLoughlin pointed to data from Mr Mullins's Apple Watch as evidence of life. Before the collision at 6.07pm, the watch recorded a heart rate of 155 beats per minute, consistent with cycling. After the collision, it recorded approximately 150 beats per minute, and by 6.09pm, when the vehicle was on Wet Gate Lane, it showed 148 beats per minute. Dr McLoughlin said this pattern indicated a person who was alive and under stress. He noted that if Mr Mullins had not been alive, the watch would have recorded zero.

Dr McLoughlin said Mr Mullins suffered multiple traumatic injuries and later went into cardiac arrest, but could not say whether he had been conscious while trapped. He could not determine whether he was conscious at the time. At around 6.14pm, motorcyclist Andrew Besant-Roberts found Mr Mullins on a verge and made a 999 call. Dr McLoughlin said the injuries were consistent with Mr Mullins being dragged beneath the car, and that blood loss would have caused shock and potentially cardiac arrest.

How it is being reported

• Cyclist was 'physiologically alive' while trapped under car, court hearsA cyclist was 'physiologically alive' after being trapped beneath a car following a collision, a court has heard.Northwich Guardian · 19 Oct, 17:56
• Cyclist was 'physiologically alive' while trapped under car, court hearsA cyclist was 'physiologically alive' after being trapped beneath a car following a collision, a court has heard.Warrington Guardian · 19 Oct, 17:56

In this story: Simon Richardson · Michael Mullins · Terrance McLoughlin · Andrew Besant-Roberts · Weaverham · Wet Gate Lane

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