DEATH OF MOTOR CYCLIST

Hawera Star, Volume L, 11 July 1930, Page 5

DEATH OF MOTOR CYCLIST

SEQUEL TO COLLISION. CORONER’S OPEN VERDICT. (By Telegraph—Press Associationo PALMERSTON N., July 10. The circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Hickey, postal officer, aged 23, were investigated by tlie coroner to-day. Hickey was riding a motor cycle and was injured in a collision with a car near Sandon on April 12. He died on May 19. The doctor who attended Hickey at tlie hospital stated that the cause of death was surgical shock supervening on a debilitated condition of general health, following the extremely serious nature of the injuries. It was stated that an operation was necessary to effect a union of the fractured bones, which failed to knit., Death was not really attributable to the direct effect of anaesthesia.

John Joseph Evans, driver of the car, said lie was travelling at 35 miles an hour approcliingg the corner near Mount Stewart. He tried to slacken speed, but the accelerator would not come up. He stooped down to pull it up, but knocked the steering wheel, causing tho car to wobble. Just as the car reached the corner Hickey came round and tlie crash occurred. Witness applied the brakes and the ear capsized. Questioned, witness said that he had had five drinks that afternoon, three 'before and two after the football match. He would not deny that be had more after the match. The coroner said he would make no comment on the evidence in view of the likelihood of subsequent proceedings. A verdict was returned in aceordanee with the medical evidence.