CYCLIST SUCCUMBS

Northern Advocate, 8 April 1931, Page 3

CYCLIST SUCCUMBS

SEQUEL TO MISADVENTURE. (Special to “Northern Advocate.") HAMILTON, This Day. An inquiry into the cause of the death of Vincent Alfred Patten, 19. farm hand, of Ngaruawahia, was held before Mr F. W. Stringer,. J.P., and a jury at Hamilton. William David Patten said his brother had good sight and hearing. He was going to church on his cycle when the accident which caused his death occurred. Dr. F. D. Pinfold said the cause of death was shock following a fracture of the base of the skull, haemorrhage and injury to the lungs. The driver of the .car, Albert Dunkley, commercial traveller, New Plymouth, said that when he was passing through Ngaruawahia about 3 p.m. on Good Friday, Patten suddenly emerged from - a right-of-way in front of his car. Witness swerved to try and avoid the cycle, but the car skidded slightly in the loose metal and collided with the cycle. The car was travelling at from 25 to 30 miles- an hour at the time, Lionel Beswiek and Gonlburn Cress, passengers in the car, corroborated Dunkley's evidence. Kate Wallbank said that Patten shot past her on his cycle from a narrow side road. The junction was obscured by willow trees and blackberries and was very dangerous. A verdict of accidental death was returned, the jury adding that it was of opinion from the evidence that no blame was attachable to the driver of the car.