FATAL CRASH AT MOTOR SPORTS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6764, 23 January 1932, Page 6

FATAL CRASH AT MOTOR SPORTS

Bannythorpe Rider Killed at Marton

Fatal injuries wore sustained by a young motor-cyclist, B. Elwin, of Bunnythorpe, when his machino crashed, sensationally during the progress of a race at the Mana-watu-Kangitikei combined motor clubs’ meeting at Marton yesterday. It is estimated that the motor cycle was travelling at 50 miles an hour when it left the course and crashed into the rails lining the track. The rider was thrown about twenty paces and the machine landed on his head. Death was instantaneous.

The race was the seventh in the programme, and was a six mile handicap. Elwin, who had won ono of the earlier events, was riding a 31 h.p. machine. In the first lap, W. Ilarvic crashed, but was not. injured .It was tlie second lap ,in which the fatality occurred, the crash being at almost the same place as the previous one. Elwin had just completed tnc front straight, and apparently did not check his speed to round the bend. Ho was riding wide out. The machine skidded a little, and then flic front wheel struck the outsido rail. Both rider and cycle were seen to bound into the air. Apparently the heavy machine fell on deceased’s head, below his crash helmet. The front wheel was torn out and, badly buckled, came to rest 30 yards away. The frame also suffered from tho impact. The force of the blow may be gauged from the fact that the solid Gin. x 4in. fence upright was broken. This was the second meeting in which deceased had been an activo participant. His first race was at Foxton last year, and on his form in the earlier events yesterday he had shown himself to be a promising and resolute rider.

It is understood that deceased’s parents, who reside at Bunnythorpe, had left for Gisborne earlier in the day with the object of spending a holiday there.