Tributes to "an angel" mum-of-two killed in eight-car pile-up on M1 in Northamptonshire

Drink-driver jailed for five years for causing accident near Crick last March
Warren Michael McBride has been jailed over the crash which in which Winsome Bedward died on the M1 in Northamptonshire. Photos: Northants PoliceWarren Michael McBride has been jailed over the crash which in which Winsome Bedward died on the M1 in Northamptonshire. Photos: Northants Police
Warren Michael McBride has been jailed over the crash which in which Winsome Bedward died on the M1 in Northamptonshire. Photos: Northants Police

A 57-year-old mum-of-two who died in an eight-car pile-up on the M1 in Northamptonshire has been described by her family as “an angel on earth.”

Winsome Bedward was a passenger in a Mazda which was caught up in the collision on an unlit section of the northbound carriageway near Crick just after 5am on March 8.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The driver of the Ford Focus which caused the collision, Warren Michael McBride, aged 36, of Littlethorpe, Leicester, was today (Friday) convicted of causing death by careless driving with alcohol as a contributing factor in connection with the incident.

The crash happened last March on the northbound carriageway close to Junction 18The crash happened last March on the northbound carriageway close to Junction 18
The crash happened last March on the northbound carriageway close to Junction 18

A judge at Northampton Crown Court jailed McBride for five years, seven months. He was also disqualified for more than five years.

A tribute released by Northamptonshire Police on behalf of Winsome’s family described her as a “caring, gentle, loving woman.”

Winsome's mum, Kathleen, said: “Winsome was a loving, caring person with a beautiful spirit. She worked as a carer her entire life and this came from a place of genuine love and care for others.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She used to come and visit me regularly and every Saturday would be a bonding experience for us as she came to do my hair. It is so hard as a mother to see your child go before you – the pain is immeasurable.”

Sister-in-law, Paula, described Winsome as an “older sister” and “an angel on earth” while her brother, Robert, added: “Winsome’s death has completely turned our world upside down.

“I cannot begin to explain the pain and loss that I feel inside. Her passing has left a deep void in my life.”

Winsome leaves behind two sons, Jonathan and Samuel.

DC Bruce Wilson from Northamptonshire Police, who investigated the collision, said: “It is crystal clear how special a woman Winsome Bedward was and just how highly she was regarded by her entire family.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There is no sentence in this world that can make up for the pain they feel, or the loss of such a wonderful woman, but I hope the conclusion of this case provides them with some sense of closure and will allow them to concentrate on all the good memories they have of Winsome."

Related topics: