RACING CYCLISTS DEATH

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22435, 23 June 1938, Page 9

RACING CYCLISTS DEATH

COLLISION WITH CAR CORONER EXONERATES DRIVER (FEBS3 ASSOCIATION TCLEORAIi.) AUCKLAND. June 22. The view that the accident should prove to officials the need for observing more caution during the running of road cycling races, was expressed oy the Coroner (Mr. F. K. Hunt), at the inquest into the death of Norman Ross Sweetrrian, aged_ 15, a competitor in a yoad cycle race, who died in the Auckland Hospital' on May 7, after a collision with a motor-car on the Great North road. Miss Annie Wilson said that she was driving a motor-car in the direction of Henderson, and when travelling up Waikumete hill she saw several cyclists riding in groups in the opposite direction. The witness said that she was taking particular care, and "Was travelling as far over to the left-hand side of the road as possible. She passed a remark that racing cyclists were n menace on the road because of their erratic riding. When she was abreast of another car coming toward her, a cyclist shot out from the back of fir? oncoming vehicle and collided violently with the car she was driving. A grader driver, James Jackson, said that he had seen the accident. In his opinion the cause was that the cyclist was racing with his head down at between 35 and 40 miles an hour downhill and was not looking where he was going. Appearing for the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association, Mr E. J. Wright outlined the precautions taken by the executive officers of the association to control cycle racing. He said that all possible steps were taken to ensure that all competitors abided by both the rules of the association and also all the bylaws. All machines were inspected, and road marshals and ambulance officers attended in an effort to protect both the riders and the public. In finding that death was caused by injuries suffered when Sweetman collided with a motor-car, the Coroner said that no blame could be attached to the driver of the car. who took every precaution. Ike added that it might be necessary to hold cycling races away from the main highways.