CYCLING FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 227, 26 September 1898, Page 5

CYCLING FATALITY.

SHOCKING AFFAIR ON THE

RACING TRACK.

ONE RIDER KILLED AND SEVERAL

INJURED.

On Saturday afternoon, last (says the Sydney 'Telegraph' of the 19tii inst.-), during the running of the Cyclists' Union sports meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a terrible ac» cident occurred, which resulted in the death of a cyclist named James Tooher, and caused serious injuries to William Rogers. The accident occurred while the two-miles handicap wafe in progress. This event, owing to the large number of entries, the committee decided to run in heats. There were1 twenty-seven competitors in the first heat—by no - means the largest field that has been started on the same track—but almost ' all the riders bunched before a mile had been covered. They continued to ride for three laps so close together that an accident seemed certain, but it was not until the last lap was entered upon that the crush occurred. The leaders increased the pace as the bell rang, and the whole of the riders were sprinting round the northern bend when suddenly Tooher w;as seen to fall, and almost the same instant Diamond, who was following close behind, ran over him and fell heavily upon the asphalt track, some halfdozen others following. Tooher was seen to be unable to rise and was carried into the dressing-room, where Dr. Gwj'nne Hughes examined him and advised his removal to St. Vincent's Hospital. A rider named Rogers, who had fallen heavily, but who ma.na.ged to reach the dressing-room without assistance, was then found to be unconscious, and he also was sent to the hospital suffering from injuries to the head. On examination Tooher was found to have sustained a depressed fracture of the skull. He was quite conscious and asked that his relations should be communicated with. About eight o'clock he became unconscious, and it was decided to operate. The operation was successfully carried out by Dr. Scott Skirving, but the patient gradually sank, and died a few minutes after returning to the ward.

From what can be gathered from the. riders who were concerned in the fall, it would appear that Tooher fell before any of the others, and that the injuries which caused his death were caused by another rider's pedal striking his head as he lay prone on the track, which he evidently struck with his face and forehead. The fracture of the sluill was at the back of the head, and was more extensive than it at first appeared. The occurrence has been reported to the Coroner, and an inqivest will be held today.

On inquiry at the hosnital last night Rogers was found to be progressing Satisfactorily. The other riders who fell were not seriously injured. Wilson having" a. broken finger, and the others being bruised and cut.