INQUEST INTO GIRL’S DEATH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 5

INQUEST INTO GIRL’S DEATH

BICYCLE ACCIDENT AT LYTTELTON A verdict that death had been caused by a severe fracture of the skull accidentally suffered, was returned by the Coroner (Mr H. P. La wry), at an inquest held at Lyttelton last evening into the death at the Christchurch Public Hospital on November 1 of Olga Paulsen, aged 17 years, following a cycle accident at Lyttelton on the same date. Several witnesses gave ‘evidence that they had seen Miss Paulsen on the bar of a bicycle ridden by her brother, Andrew Paulsen, descending Dublin street at a high rate of speed. They heard Andrew Paulsen call out that his brake would not work. He appeared to do everything possible to check the cycle. Andrew Paulsen, brother of the deceased, said that he and his sister had often "double-banked” on the bicycle. Shortly before the accident he had had the cycle overhauled, including the backpedalling brake. After beginning the descent of Dublin street the brake gave way. He tried to take the right-hand turn into Norwich quay. He almost made it, but struqk the telegraph post. He did not remember anything further until after 4ie recovered consciousness in hospital. Constable C. A. Jackways said that he had examined the bicycle after the accident. The only brake—a back-pedalling one—was not working at all. Dr. P. A. M. Heath gave evidence that he was called to the scene of the accident. He found Olga Paulsen to be suffering from a fractured jaw and a fractured skull, and sent her and her brother to the Christchurch Public Hospital.

Claims by Inventors.— Claims by 12 inventors associated with the flail tank, which was used during the war to destroy enemy mines, will be the first of 50 applications to come before the Royal Commission on Awards, whose hearings are expected to open in Britain next month, says the “Daily Telegraph.” Other war inventions referred to the commission are the Bailey bridge. Mulberry Harbour, amphibious tanks, plastic armour, and <he sticky bomb. All claims have bee.j carefully investigated by the Ministries concerned. Many were received from the authors of strange and impracticable schemes which could not possibly have been used. Some of them made demands for tlw*’ payment of more than £2o,ooo.—London, January IL