Mother-of-two killed in a car crash while competing in her first ever World Series poker tournament

A mother-of-two who was nicknamed 'The Queen of Poker' was killed in a car crash while competing in her first World Series tournament.   

Emma Fryer, 42, from Alsager, Cheshire was being driven back to her hotel in the Czech Republic in foggy conditions when a Sat Nav inside the car failed to detect a roundabout and the vehicle ploughed into a lamppost.

Driver David Nelson only realised there was a roundabout up ahead when he spotted a roadside sign, but as he tried to slow down, his car spun 180 degrees and crashed.

Mrs Fryer suffered a brain injury, rib fractures and damage to several organs in the accident that took place on November 17, 2017. 

The mother-of-two, who had left a job at Bet365 to become a professional poker player, had been told only a few weeks before her death that her daughter was pregnant and that she was going to become a grandmother for the first time. 

Emma Fryer, 42, was nicknamed 'The Queen of Poker' and was killed in a car crash while competing in her first World Series tournament

She had only recently become a professional poker player and had competed in tournaments in Nottingham and Sheffield before securing a backer who funded her and allowed her to play professionally. 

Her family say that she was a 'really good player' and had even won £47,000 shortly before her death.  

Driver Mr Nelson was subsequently convicted of a negligence offence by Czech authorities, similar to causing death by careless driving. 

His sentence is not known.

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Mrs Fryer, a former casino VIP account manager, was taking part in the World Series of Poker Europe Tournament in the Czech village of Rozvadov in the Plzen Region of the country.

She was said to be 'riding a rich vein of form' ahead of her first World Series of Poker event and had listed her profession as 'poker player' on October 6, 2017 - just a month before the tragedy. 

In a statement Mr Nelson said: 'On November 5, I was driving from the casino in Rozvadov to our hotel with Emma. We put the details in the SatNav on my phone and we set off.

The mother-of-two had only recently become a professional poker player and had competed in tournaments in Nottingham and Sheffield

Mrs Fryer, pictured with her husband Gary, had two daughters and was told just weeks before her death that she was going to become a grandmother

'The fog was very bad and we could only see about 25 metres in front of us. Around 40 minutes into the journey we got onto a motorway.

'While driving, I saw a sign for a roundabout, but there was no warning from my SatNav, so I hit the brakes. The car skidded around about 180 degrees and we hit a lamppost.

'The front windscreen was cracked and Emma was leaning on her airbag complaining that her nose was bleeding. A man passing by helped us out of the car and he spoke a little bit of English.

'The passer-by sat in the driver's seat asking Emma if she was OK. The emergency services came and got Emma's door open and were talking to her.

'The police breathalyser me twice and both times were negative for alcohol. I was taken to hospital and Emma was taken to a different one.

'It was about three days later that Emma died from her injuries. I was arrested the police and I was charged with negligence as somebody needs to be held responsible, it cannot be an accident in Czech law.'

Her family said that Mrs Fryer had been 'very excited' about her new career, and she had the full support of husband Gary

Mrs Fryer suffered a brain injury, rib fractures and damage to several organs in the accident that took place on November 17, 2017

Recording a verdict of death by road traffic collision coroner Peter Sigee said: 'Emma died as a result of her injuries. There were criminal proceedings brought against David in the Czech Republic and they resulted in a conviction. This appears to be the equivalent of a charge of causing death by careless driving. At the time of writing his statement, he was awaiting criminal proceedings.

'Subsequently, Czech criminal proceedings have been resolved and there was a conviction in relation to them. Following legal advice, he will not seek to appeal against this conviction.'

Mrs Fryer's mother Sheila Waring, 61, said: 'She was in the process of starting a new career as a professional poker player and as part of her new career she was in the Czech Republic for a tournament.

Her family said that she had just started winning significant amounts of money in poker tournaments

'On November 5, 2017, she was at the King's casino in Rozvadov and she had been there with David Nelson and others. As I understand, Emma and David left the casino to drive back to their accommodation. It was then that David crashed into a metal post stood up in concrete. We went out to see the scene. Sadly she died from her injuries.

'It was such a shock, it still feels surreal. Everything was going so well for her, she was the happiest she had ever been.'

Mrs Waring also told the Stoke Sentinel: 'Just a few weeks before her death, she found out she was going to be a grandmother. She was so excited. Her eldest daughter Gemma has since given birth to William.

'She had also been excited about her new profession. Her partner Gary was 100 per cent behind her.

'She was a really good player and was starting to make a lot of money. The biggest sum she won was £47,000.' 

The poker player's youngest daughter, 19-year-old Jessica Fryer, said: 'She would do anything for us.' 

Sister Liz Carter, 32, said: 'There was no fault on the part of the driver. It was just a tragic accident.

'Emma was so sociable. If you met her once you would remember her. She was so caring and thoughtful and she doted on her nieces and nephews. She was never still - she was always doing something.'

Her other sister Sally Parton, 38, said: 'Everyone said this was going to be her breakout year in poker, when she was going to make it to the top.

'She was so popular - she was like a celebrity. The number of people who have been in touch with us has been amazing. Seeing what she meant to so many people has been a great comfort.'

Fellow female professional poker player Daiva Byrne said: 'My heart breaks to hear the tragic news regarding Emma Fryer. She was such a wonderful person and an amazing player.'

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