MOTOR-CYCLING FATALITY

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 14, 16 January 1918, Page 5

MOTOR-CYCLING FATALITY

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., Coroner, conducted an inquest yesterday afternoon concerning the death of Adolph John Schulenberg, a married man, who resided at Creswick-terrace, Northland. Victor Ernest Larcomb, a fellow-em-ployee of the deceased in the Gollin Proprietary Company, stated that at about 4.45 p.m. on.Saturday he was riding a motor-cycle, with side-car attached, down a very steep grade in, Northland. The deceased was in the side-car. The machine was travelling at about eight or nine miles at the top of the gradient, but gradually gathered speed. Witness said he applied the brake, but found it had little effect. While turning the corner from Creswick-terrace into "North-land-road the left handle grip came,off. For a> second or two he lost* control of the machine, which appeared to be heading for a large rock on the corner of the road. The deceased, evidently in" an effort, to avert the collision, reached out from the side-car, and grabbed both handle bars, and in so doing he turned trig wheel sharply to the left, with the result that the machine capsized over a bank some 20 feet in height, and fell to the road below. The deceased was thrown clear of the machine, and appeared to have fallen on his head. Wit > ness fell under the machine, and was dazed fpr A ,a,.few minutes. When he, came to : deceased was lying a few feet away, andappeared seriously hurt. The ambulance and Dr. Faulke were telephoned for, and arrived a few minutes later. ' ......'

Henry Shapcott, of Farm-road, said he was in his garden when he heard a crash 01} the road, and on running out found Schulenberg' unconscious and bleeding from the mouth, , nose, and ears. Larcomb was cut about the, head, and was getting on his feot when witness arrived.' ■ ' , . ■ . '■ ■■

Medical evidence showed that deceased was admitted to the Hospital about 5.30 p.m., and died at 2.5 a.m. on Sunday morning. The'base of the skull was fractured, and deceased had injuries about the face.

A Verdict of accidental death was returned.