Youth Killed in Motor Cycle Accident

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6765, 25 January 1932, Page 6

Youth Killed in Motor Cycle Accident

DISTRESSING FATALITY NEAR BUNNYTHORPE. Particularly distressing circumstances surround the death of a, young motor-cyclist, John Errol Mason, aged 17 years, of 100 Grey street, Palmerston North, who was killed instantaneously about 7.45 o’clock last evening when the machine he was riding capsized over a bank cn Reid’s line about four miles from Bunnythorpe, Viggo Daniel Hansen, of Palmerston North, who was accompanying deceased in a side-car, escaped serious injury when lie was thrown clear. The fatal accident is rendered all the more pcignant by the fact that young Mason had been assisting Mr. J. Elwin, of Bunnythorpe, who lost his son in the tragedy at the motor-cycle sports meeting held at Marten on Anniversary Day.

It appears that. Mason and Hansen left Palmerston North about 4 o’clock in the afternoon to assist at Mr. Elwin’s place with tho milkin'}* of the cows and, prior to this, io attend the funeral of the lato Mr. Elwin junior. The pair departed for home in the cycle and sidecar attachment used for carrying purposes. The journey necessitated riding down a zig-zag track from the property to tho road which then led down a hill about five chains long. When on Reid’s line and only a short distance from the intersection of Dixon’s line, deceased, who was riding the cycle, applied the brakes. Tho vehicle capsized over a 12-foot bank, on tho right hand side of the road, Hansen being thrown clear, while Mason fell on his head, apparently breaking his neck and being killed outright. Help was secured and medical aid was promptly forthcoming, but nothing could bo done for the unfortunate man. Hansen received abrasions and suffered from shock but was able to proceed to his home. Deceased, who lived with his parents at Palmerston North, was well-known in Palmerston North 'and a popular youth. It is understood that previously he resided at Shannon, where he was also widely known.