MOTOR-CYCLIST'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20498, 17 March 1932, Page 8

MOTOR-CYCLIST'S DEATH.

INQUEST CONCLUDED. COLLISION WITH CYCLISTS. That Cecil Olive Middleton died as the result of injuries received, when, in an endeavour to avoid cyclists, he wa* thrown from the motor-cycle he was riding, was the verdict of the Coroner Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., at the conclusion of the inquest into Middleton's death held yesterday. Middleton, a single man, aged 2 o years, and son of Mr C. T. Middleton, Town Clerk of New Brighton, was riding a motor-cycle in Hargood street 011 February 23rd, with S. F. Napper, traffic inspector for the Heathcote County Council, in the side-chair. When a capsize occurred Middleton was killed and Napper injured. The Coroner added as comment thai the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive in regard to speed, and it did not suggest that Middleton was incapacitated by liquor. He had had liquor, but it had not been disclosed that it rendered him incompetent. Sergeant A. Leckie conducted proceedings for the police, counsel appeared for the cyclist struck, and Mr Middleton, father of the young man killed, also questioned the witnesses. Cyclists' Evidence. Sydney Virtue, a carpenter, of 76 Radlcy street, Woolston, said that on the night of February 23rd, at 10.25, he was riding a bicycle along Hargood street, Woplston, in an easterly direction. He was accompanied by a young lady. Both cyclists had lights*, rear reflectors, and rear mudguards painted white, and were being ridden near the kerb on the correct side of the road, with witness on the inside. A motor-cycle was heard approaching, and witness judged by the noise it was travelling very fast. The next witness knew was that his cycle was struck in the rear wheel and he was thrown to the ground. Serious injury did not result to witness and upon recovery ho saw a motor-cycle and side-chair up-side-down facing across the road on the loft-hand aide of the street, and two feet from the side-channel. Two men were lying on the road. One, Napper, got up, injured. The other man, Middleton, was unconscious. The head-light of the motor-cycle was burning. Witness went to Middleton's assistance, and immediately noticed a strong smell of liquor upon him. Veronica Brooks, a machinist, of 144 Tancred street, Linwood, corroborated the evidence of Virtue in regard to the accident. George Frederick Ward, a labourer, of Hargood street, Woolston, gave evidence that he was in that street after the accident. Middleton was still lying on the road near an upturned motorcycle and side-chair. Witness had been leaning over the injured man Middleton and had noticed a strong smell of liquor up'on him. Later witness saw a broken bottlo on the road between Middleton and the side-chair. The Coroner: Did Napper show any concern about Middleton? Did he say anything about Middleton at all? Witness: Napper * seemed a little dazed. Ht; did not say anything about Middleton. Edward Henry Condon, a superannuated public "servant, of Hargood street, taid that he also had arrived at the scene of the accident and seen Middletor- lying; on the road near the motor-cycle. There was no sign of liquor on Middleton. Inspector's Evidence. Sidney Frederick Napper, traffic inspector, for the Heathcote County Council, stated that on the night of the accident he had been acting as ranger. His motor-bicycle had been under repair and on Middleton's suggestion they had decided to go on a round of witness's territory in Middleton's machine. At the same time Middleton ' had asked witness to find out during the ride, the cause of lift, which was being experienced with the side-car. During the joilrney, witness continued, "they had called at an hotel in Heathcote Valley, Middleton wishing to use a telephone. Both of them had had a drink at the hotel. "When we left the hotel and were approaching Dyer's road I called to Middleton to slacken speed and turn to the right. He preferred to go the other way. . - „ "We turned to the right down Hargood street and proceeded along the left-hand side of the rbad. After travelling some 300 to 400 yards a cyclist appeared in the line of light marking at an angle towards the left. Middleton applied his brakes and turned to the right to pass the cyclist. Another cvclist then came into the ray of light and Middleton applied his bfakes suddenly and turned sharply to the left. The machine rose and turned over, remember nothing furthsr until I found myself switching off the lights. I then saw Middleton was badly injured. I went to get assistance from a house, but the person I asked refused to give aid. I went back to Middleton. The cyclist, Virtue, called the ambulance at my request, but Middleton was dead before he and I were taken to the hospital." Sergeant Leckie: How many miles did you travel that night f Napper: About nine or ten miles. Sergeant Leckie: What speed were you going at. Napper: From the bridge to the tanks we were travelling at 25 to 30 miles an hour. At all other times the speed was considerably below that. Constable A. Beattie, who took charge of" the bodv of Middleton at the hospital, said "that it smelled strongly of liquor and there was a broken beer bottle in his overcoat pocket. Witness also spoke to Napper, but he did not appear to be in a fit condition to make a statement.