FAST SPEED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 8

FAST SPEED.

MOTOR CYCLIST'S END.

MT. ALBERT ROAD FATALITY. VERDICT AT INQUEST. "That the cause of the death of Frederick Robert Tliursby, aged 20, of Atkinson Road, Titirangi, was the result of severe head injuries sustained bv accidentally running into a motor van whilst riding his motor cycle at a 'ast speed and turning a corner 011 the wrong iiide ol the road at the intersection of Mount Albert Road and Owairaksi Avenue, at 7.30 011 the morning of February 7," was the verdict of Mr. W. R. MeXean, S.M., yesterday afternoon, when the coroner concluded the inquest concerning the young man's death. The driver of the motor van, Erie Morven Sadgrove, said he was driving the van along Mount Albert Road in the direction of New North Koad at 7.30 a.m. 011 February 7. It was drizzling rain at the time the road was wet and greasy, ile was 011 his correct side of the road approaching Owairaka Avenue, travelling about half-way between the kerb and the tramlines at a speed of approximately 15 miles per hour, ile passed a tram which was stationary at the tram terminus, and he was keeping a lookout for traliic. The intersection appeared to be clear, and he commenced to cross the intersection, with the intention of continuing straight along Mount Albert Koad, when he saw deceased 011 a motor cycle. Tliursby was 011 witness' left coming out of Owairaka Avenue into Mount Albert Koad. When witness first noticed the cyclist, he was about l(Jft away from him. Tliursby was cutting the corner and 011 the wrong side of the road, travelling at a fast rate of speed. '"lie was doing more than 30 miles per hour," said the witness. "The cyclist was coming straight at inc. I endeavoured to avoid a collision by applying my brakes and swerving to the right, but deceased continued straight on, with the result that his front wheel struck the left-hand side mudguard of my van. After the impact I pulled up within 30ft and found him lying on the road close to his motor cycle. lam positive that the motor cyclist did not sound his horn, or give any -warning of his approach. There is cocksfoot growing 2ft Gin high on the side of Owairaka Avenue which obscured my view of the cyclist." Lwon Bashford Herd, a car salesman, who was an eye-witness of the accident, said the motor van was travelling 011 its correct side of the road. The motor cycle was travelling at between 35 and 40 miles per hour. It appeared as if the deceased did not notice the motor van and continued straight 011. The driver of the van applied liis brakes and tried to avoid the collision. "I attribute the cause of the accident to the motor cyclist travelling at an excessive speed 011 to the intersection, and I am of the opinion that the van driver had no opportunity of avoiding the collision," added witness. Evidence was given by Frederick William Tliursby, father of deceased, that his son was a cannery employee and rode to his work daily 011 his motor cycle. He had been riding the motor ct'cle for 18 months. The brakes of the motor cycle were in good order.