The devastated family of a dedicated teacher, who was killed while cycling
home from work, has received £580,000 compensation, with help from
UNISON.
David Kerslake, who worked as Head of Science at Sharples School, in Bolton,
was just 44-years-old when he was knocked off his bike on Compton Way, in
Bolton, in June 2004.
He was hit from behind by a car driven by a diabetic, who suffered a
hypoglycaemic attack and lost control.
Mr Kerslake, from Radcliffe, in Greater Manchester, left behind his wife,
Jacqueline, 48, a UNISON member and a nurse at North Manchester General
Hospital, and daughter, Lydia, who is now eight.
Dave Prentis, UNISONÕs General Secretary, said:
ÒDavidÕs family has been devastated by his death. I am glad that UNISON was
able to help Jacqueline Kerslake pursue a claim against the driver.
ÒThe money wonÕt compensate for DavidÕs loss.
ÒBut it will help fund a future for their little girl.
ÒHe was a hugely popular family man and a dedicated teacher and will be
sadly missed by the whole community.Ó
Mrs Kerslake said:
ÒI had a lot of reservations about fighting for compensation Ð how do you put
a price on someoneÕs life?
ÒHowever, I received a lot of support and when we won it was a relief, as it
means that my little girl will be financially secure for the future.
ÒIt was horrendous going through the process, but at least it gave some
recognition for his life being lost.
ÒHe was amazingly popular and hundreds of people attended the funeral, it
was wonderful.
ÒThe money will never bring David back, but at least I feel like we have some
kind of future at last.Ó
Gill Owen, from ThompsonÕs Solicitors, said:
ÒThis compensation can never replace David, but we hope it will go some way
to helping his family to be provided for in his absence.
ÒDavid was an extremely successful man who loved his family and was
ambitious.
ÒWithout a doubt he would have achieved his dream of becoming a successful
deputy head and the level of compensation reflects this.Ó
Hundreds of people, including pupils and staff, from his school that was
closed for the day in his honour, attended the funeral of Mr Kerslake.
He had been working on the schoolÕs application to receive special science
status, which was granted two years after his death.
The teacher, who cycled to work every day, had also been in the process of
applying to become a deputy head, after completing a Masters in Education
and Management, at Manchester Metropolitan University.