COLLIDED WITH FENCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 22

COLLIDED WITH FENCE.

DEATH OF DIRT-TRACK RIDER. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. An enquiry into the circumstances of the death of George Matthew Victor Chambers, a broadside racer wlio died at the Christcliurch Hospital on Novfmbcr 23rd from injuries received iu an accident while racing .at Monica Park oil the previous evening, was held yesterday before the Coroner, Mr 11. P. Lawry. A verdict was returned that Chambers died from laceration of the brain and a fractured skull sustained through colliding witli a fence at the grounds ot' Stadiums (Christcliurch), Ltd., while broadside racing on a motor-cycle, the accident apparently being due to an error of; judgment on his part in negotiating a bend on the track. A rider was added stating that there was no evidence of any want of equipment or fault in the track itself.

Chambers's family was represented by Mr F. D. Sargent, Stadiums (Christchurch), Ltd., by Mr A. W. Brown, and the police by Sergeant T. Wolfendale. Doctor's Evidence. Dr. Mary Jane Hulsc Kussell, house surgeon at the Christcliurch Hospital, stated that Chambers was admitted to the Hospital at 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, November "2nd. He was deeply unconscious and was suffering from extreme shock. He had a large wound on tlie right side of his head which demonstrated a fracture of the skull. He had. paralysis of the left arm and leg, and was too shocked to lie moved about. He was treated for shock, but did not rally at all, and became much worse tlie next day. He died at 11.45 p.m. that evening. No evidence of broken limbs could bo found, but there were abrasions on both hands. The cause of death was laceration of the brain and fracture of the. skull.

A Competent Eider. Thai Chambers was a competent dirttrack rider was stated by Mostyn Pryce Jones, of Jones, Ltd., motor importers, of Christchurch, who said that ho was present at Monica Park and saw the accident. In liis opinion Chambers was travelling too fast to negotiate the turu safely, and ran into tlie fence surrounding the track while attempting to overtake the leading rider. The machine which ho was riding was a special dirt-track one. He had seen the machine since and there was hardly a scratch on it. He did not notice Chambers's cycle bump before the accident.

Details of Accident. Further details of tbo accident -were, given by Constable E. T. Bosworth, who stated that ho was watching the race ts the two machines came round the north bend. Chambers was just about past the other rider when Jus cycle appeared to give a wobble, and then struck ibo fence. The machine had travelled only a few yards further when he saw Oliambcrs fall on it, and the bicycle carried 011 for about 150 yards witli the rider lying wit-Ji liis head over the handle-bars, and both arms hanging straight down. The cycle then stopped suddenly ami somersaulted tiviee, ilirowing Chambers on to tho track. He landed on the back of his head. The constable produced the crash-hel-met wliich Chambers was wearing, and which sliowed a jagged cut along the front. • lie stated that there were marks made l>y tlie lielmet on an iron post 15 yards from where the cycle first struck the fence, and pieces of cork from the lielmet could also be noticed attached to the brads on tho iron fence. That the marks on the helmet were on the Jeft-hand side indicated that the rider's head Jiad been turned right round. Constable liosivorth added that bo had examined tho track on the morning afier the accident and had found no bumps likely to cause the accident. Thero were distinct marks of a skid about five yards before Chambers first struck tlie fence.

Track Steward's Evidence. One of tlio stewards in charge ol the track during the races, A. W. Moreland, gave particulars of the, raking and dragging of tlie cinders after evorv race. At each corner six men were stationed to rake the whole width of the track after eaeli event, while a motor-drag also harrowed the cinderw. Ho stated that the umler-surface of the track was hard and smooth. The raking of tlie cinders -facilitated sliding at the- bends. Mr Lawry then returned the above verdict.