FATAL CYCLE RACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 146, 23 June 1938, Page 20

FATAL CYCLE RACE

COMPETITOR'S DEATH COMMENT BY CORONER (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, .June 22. The view that the fatality should prove to officials the necessity for observing more caution during the running of road cycling races was expressed by the Coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at an inquest into the death of Norman Ross Sweetman, aged 15, competitor in a road cycle race, who died in Auckland Hospital on May 7 following a collision with a motor-car on the Great North Road.

Miss Annie Wilson stated that she was driving a motor-car in the direction of Henderson, and, when travelling up the Waikumete Hill she observed several cyclists riding in groups in the opposite direction. Witness stated that she was taking particular care and was travelling as far over to the left-hand side of the road as possible. She passed-the remark that racing cyclists were a menace on the road because of their erratic riding. When she was abreast of another car coming towards her, a cyclist shot out from the back of the oncoming vehicle and collided violently with the car she was driving.

A grader driver, James Jackson, stated he had "seen the accident. In his opinion' the cau'se of the fatality was that the cyclist was racing with his head down at between 35 and 40 miles an hour down hill and was not looking where he was going. Appearing for the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association, Mr. E. J. Wright outlined precautions taken by executive officers of the' association to control the sport of cycle r racing. He pointed out that all possible steps were taken to ensure that all competitors, abided by both the rules of the association and also all the bylaws. All machines were inspected and road marshals and ambulance officers supplied in an effort to protect both riders, and the public.

In finding that death resulted from injuries 'suffered when Sweetman collided with :a : motor-car, the Coroner stated that no blame could be attached to the driver of the car, who took every He added it might be necessary to hold cycling races away from main highways.