CYCLIST’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 94, 15 January 1926, Page 3

CYCLIST’S DEATH

KENT TERRACE ACCIDENT ‘'ENTIRELY DUE TO MISADVENTURE” An inquest was held yesterday afternoon before the Coroner, Mr. E. Page, S.M., on the body of William John Smith (aged 11 years), who died ft out injuries received by being run over by a motor-lorry in Kent Terrace on MonDr. A. Palmer gave evidence that deceased was brought to his surgery shortly before eleven, o’clock on Monday in an unconscious Condition, and suffering from severe injuries. He died a few minutes later, death being due to shock following the injuries. John James Smith, father of deceased, said that the boy left his home on Monday morning on his bicycle and was proceeding to Courtenay Place when the accident occurred. He was a healthy boy, and was quite an cdicicnt cvclist. The Coroner: Was it a dry day? Witness: Yes, but the streets wete a bit slippery. Ayerst Bromet Hooker said he was driving a 3|-ton lorry in , Kent Terrace on Monday at about eight or nine miles an hour when deceased, who was travelling in the same direction, suddenly shot across the front of his lorry on a bicvcle. The cycle skidded on the tram rails, and deceased was thrown under a front >wlieel of the lorry. Witness immediately brought the lorry to a standstill. He extricated deceased, and took him to Dr. Palmer. Senior-Sergeant O'Hara: When did you first notice him ? Witness: Almost immediately, when he shot across the front of the lorry. Witness also said that the roads were greasy from recent rain. “I think it is clear that no negligence was exhibited on the part of the driver of the lorry,” said the Coroner. “The unfortunate occurrence was entirely due to misadventure. . . The question of the use of the road by | cyclists is one that requires consideration. Every niotorist knows-that the presence of cyclists who do not observe the rules of the road constitutes a real anxiety to them. The only remedy is that cyclists should be educated in the proper direction. . . . Steps should be taken to come to sonic understanding as to what part of the road they should keep to, and as to what rules should be observed. I want to make it clear that these remarks are not intended to reflect in any wav on the unfortunate lad who was killed.. A verdict of accidental death will be returned.”