MOTOR FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 236, 2 October 1920, Page 6

MOTOR FATALITY.

DEATH OF A CYCLIST. IXQUEST AT GISBORXE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GISBOKNE, this day. An inquest was opened to-day concern' ing the death of Bertie *Athol Rhodes, a returned soldier, 27 years of age, unmarried, who died in Cook Hospital following injuries received in a collision between a motor car and a motor cycle ridden by Rhodes on September 26. Evidence was given that the car was crossing over the main street from a side street when the car struck the cycle, both vehicles being on their right aides of the road. A police witness estimated the speed of the car at ten miles an hour, and another witness said the cyclist was travelling seven or eight miles an hour. Mary Alice Leslie, 14 years of age, the driver of the car, said a tramcar was standing in the main street almost at the intersection. Witness sounded her horn three times when she saw the cycle. Witness swerved, but the cycle swerved also towards the car. The tram obstructed the view. Witness was travelling at not more than ten miles an hour. Her brakes didn't act straight away, a fact for which witness could not account. Witness had driven the car into town six or aeven times previously, and had also driven another car. The tram driver, giving evidence, said the girl was driving between 25 and 28 miles an hour. As far as witness could see, the girl made np attempt to slacken speed when approaching the intersection. The- motor cyclist was travelling ten miles an hour, and was on nig right Bide. The inquest was adjourned till Tuesday.