CYCLIST’S DEATH

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 9

CYCLIST’S DEATH

CORONER’S VERDICT AT INQUEST

The Coroner, Mr E. B. E. Taylor, returned a verdict yesterday that Robert Mcßobie, aged 63, died on March 1 from cerebral lacerations and contusions and a fracture of the skull, the injuries being suffered when the cycle ridden by Mcßobie and a truck driven by Clarence Walter Haines collided at the corner of Moorhouse avenue and Manchester street.

Sergeant J. M. McDonald conducted proceedings for the police at the inquest. Mr P. T. Mahon appeared for the driver of the truck, and Mr J. A. Wicks for the relatives of Mcßobie. Clarence Walter Haines, a truck driver, said he was driving a truck, with a load of bags of wheat and mash, east along Moorhouse avenue about 25 .miles an hour at 12.10 p.m. on March 1. Nearing the corner of Manchester street he reduced speed to 20 miles an hour. A cyclist was making a left-hand turn from Manchester street into Moorhouse avenue to go east. When the truck was half-way across the intersection the cyclist looked back over his right shoulder and then veered across the path of the truck. The witness swung the truck to the right and applied the brakqs. The cyclist rode into the side of the truck and fell on to the road. Part of the load fell on him. The witness jumped out of the truck and pulled three bags off the cyclist. To Mr Wicks: The bags were not roped on the truck. In the circumstances it would have made no difference if they had been roped. The bags were stacked in one layer. Mrs Mary E. Bryant said she was cycling south along Manchester street behind Mcßobie, who made a full left-hand turn into Moorhouse avenue. He appeared to take it widely. The truck veered away to avoid him but he rode into the side of the truck and two bags fell on him. She considered the accident was not the fault of the truck driver. It seemed to be caused by the lazy way of the cyclist and his riding wide on the turn. John Hamilton Kerr, a railways clerk, said he saw the truck come to a stop half on the safety zone, and the body of a man hurtle through the air, followed by some bags. When the man landed on the ground two bags of material were on top of him. Norman Grierson Bell, a vehicle inspector for the Transport Department, said he examined the truck on March' 2, and its general condition was good. Death During Operation

The Coroner returned a verdict that Frederick William Josland, aged 65, died on April 26 from heart failure associated with enlargement of the heart and coronary artery disease, operation, and anaesthesia. The operation was essential and the anaesthetic was a usual one, said the Coroner. No blame was attachable to the anaesthetist or the surgeon.