An Oxford man has been found not guilty in connection with a fatal collision on an Oxford towpath following a Thames Valley Police investigation.

Edward Bressan, aged 56, of Newton Road, Oxford, was found not guilty by a jury of causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving, contrary to section 35 of the Offence against the Person Act 1861, at Oxford Crown Court today (June 11).

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At around 12.40pm on Sunday November 20, 2022, Mr Bressan was cycling on the towpath that runs beside the River Thames near Iffley Lock when he was involved in a collision with a pedestrian, Polly Friedhoff, aged 81.

Ms Friedhoff was taken to hospital where she died on December 2, 2022.

Her next of kin have been supported during the investigation by specially trained officers.

Mr Bressan was charged by postal requisition on 12 July last year.

During the trial on Tuesday (July 9), Mr Bressan gave his account of the incident which he described as ‘unavoidable’.

He said he was cycling at a ‘moderate pace’ because there were other cyclists and pedestrians on the towpath.

During the trial, Professor Proudfoot, who was cycling in the area at the time, told the court it was his ‘impression’ that Ms Friedhoff had lost her balance as opposed to being knocked over.

Prof Proudfoot made a call to police several days after the incident after a police appeal for information and witnesses was made after the collision, the court was told. 

Mr Bressan appeared emotionless in the dock as the verdict was returned.

Ms Friedhoff’s friend Ewa Huggins, who had joined her on their routine stroll, said the incident happened suddenly and her friend was “catapulted with incredible force”.

Kuljeet Mr Dobe, defending, suggested that Mr Bressan was cycling behind the women and travelling at a pace that was “little more than walking speed”.

Mr Dobe added: “I’m going to suggest that he did ring his bell and you moved a bit further to the right-hand side, you said something to Polly and she moved suddenly but moved to the left suddenly and that was when his bike made contact with her and that is when she fell.”

Mr Dobe also suggested that Ms Friedhoff did not fall across the towpath but fell more or less where the contact was made.