DEATH OF CYCLIST

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 6

DEATH OF CYCLIST

FEILDING FATALITY QUESTION OF NEGLIGENCE AVOIDED Palmerston North, December 3. An inquiry was held this morning into the circumstances surrounding the death of Cyril Alfred Kreagher (aged 27) who died in the Palmerston North hospital on July 24 as a result of injuries received through being knocked down by a motor lorry on the Kimbolton Road, Feilding, the day previous. Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., presided. Mr. J. P. Innes appeared on behalf oi the driver of the lorry, Mr. Elliott for the Oroua County Council, and Mr. J. Graham for the relatives of deceased. Dr. G. A. Forrest, formerly medical superintendent of the Palmerston North Hospital, stated that deceased, when admitted to the institution, was in a state of collapse. He was suffering from internal injuries, and was too ill to undergo an operation He died at about 2 o’clock next morning A post mortem examination revealed strong evidences of alcohol.

Leonard F- W. Kreagher, brickmaker, of Feilding, stated that he was with deceased in Feilding on the night of the accident. At that time deceased showed no signs of drinking. He had a light on his bicycle, but no rear reflector when he left witness.

Arthur John McElroy, machinery foreman, employed by the Oroua County Council, gave evidence to the effect that between 6 and 6.30 on the night of the accident lie was driving a motor lorry along Kimbolton Road The vehicle was provided with kerosene lamps, which were lighted, and which enabled witness to see ahead for a chain or a chain and a half. Witness was driving on his correct side of the road, and when be was abreast of Hodder and Tolley’s mill, he was approached by a motor-car with bright headlights. Temporarily blinded, witness pulled over to his left, and it was in doing so that he became aware that the lorry had struck somebody on the road. Investigation showed it to be deceased, who was injured. Witness gauged his speed prior to the accident at from I'2 to 14 miles an hour. He was keeping a good look-out, but visibility was baa, and he did not see deceased. To Mr Innes, witness said he would have been able to locate deceased had the latter’s bicycle carried a rear reflector. Other evidence having been heard, the Coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death as a result of injuries caused through his being struck by the lorry driven by McElroy. Mr. Stout also stated that as regards the question of the culpability of the lorry driver, he did not intend to make anv observations. To a certain degree the matter would depend upon whether the lights on the lorry were sufficient, and there was not siifficient evidence on which to voice an opinion in this direction. “I would prefer not to make any mention in my finding o ( the question of McElroy’s culpability,” said Mr. Stout, "because even if there are not criminal proceedings to follow, there may be a civil action, when the question of negligence will be dealt with.”