Coroner Stresses Need For Check On Bicycles

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1949, Page 3

Coroner Stresses Need For Check On Bicycles

“THIS was indeed a,n unfortunate and sad accident, undoubtedly caused by the failure of the cycle brakes,” said the Whangarei district coroner (Mr G. H. Lloyd) in commenting on evidence given at an inquest held yesterday on the death of Marlene Hazel Dent following a collision between the bicycle she was riding and a heavy truck. The collision occurred at the intersection of James and Dent Streets, in Whangarei, on April 22. Valerie Joass, who was also riding the bicycle at the time of the accident, was injured.

“It is to be hoped, in the absence of regulations making it compulsory for cycles to be checked? that cyclists in their own interests and in the interests of road safety, will satisfy themselves that their machines are in proper order before going on the road,” Mr Lloyd commented. “The Transport Department has informed me that a recent test carried out at Whangarei schools by officers of the department, assisted by Automobile Association patrols, revealed that out of 531 cycles checked only 125 were in proper order to be taken on the road. “Of the remaining 406, 861 faults were found under various headings,

and 28 had inefficient brakes. “The department advised tjiat a recheck showed a very marked improvement.” SLID UNDER FRONT WHEEL Stephen George Bignell, of Whangarei. gave evidence at the inquest that at the time of the accident he was driving his motor truck, with a trailer attached, along James Street towards the Whangarei waterfront. “When approaching the intersection of Dent Street I noticed the Whangarei Borough Council's electrical van pull up in Dent Street.” he said. “When I was nearly across the intersection I saw a bicycle come from Dent Street.” Bignell said that the girl who appeared to be riding the bicycle leaned away from the truck in an endeavour to avoid a collision, but the bicycle seemed to slide under the front wheel of the truck. He was travelling at only about 10 miles an hour at the time and stopped quickly.

'STANDING ON PEDALS’ Shirley Frances Gemmell, a pupil at the Whangarei Girls’ High School, said she was walking down Dent Street at the time of the collision. “I saw Valerie Joass and Marlene Dent both riding on a lady’s bicycle,” she said. “Marlene Dent was riding on the seat of the bicycle while the girl Joass was standing up on the pedals, steering it. “I could see the bicycle going down Fire Brigade Hill, and it appeared to be travelling very fast. “I noticed that a motor van had dopped at the intersection of James Street to give way to a truck traveling along James Street towards the waterfront. “The girls tried to turn to the left into James Street. I did not think they would be able to make the turn owing to the speed of the bicycle. . "I saw the bicycle collide with the front of the truck. “On April 8, 1949, I asked Valerie Joass to lend me her bicycle. “She said I could have the bicycle, but that the brakes were no good. “I did not use the bicycle when ihe told me this.” OUT OF CONTROL Roy Keith Maxwell,, an electrical faultman employed by the Whangarei Borough Council, said that at the time of the accident he was driving the council’s van down Dent Street. He stopped about eight feet from James Street to allow right of way to Bignell’s’ truck. “I was watching the truck go by when I saw a bicycle with uvo girls on it pass my van on the left-hand side,” Maxwell said jn evidence. “By the speed of the bicycle I considered it was out of control.

“The girl steering it seemed to try to turn to her left into James Street, but ran in front of the truck.

“The truck driver made every effort to avoid the collision and (topped quickly. I would estimate the truck’s speed at seven or eight miles an hour. "I did not see or hear anything to indicate that the brakes on the bicycle were being applied as it passed me.” BRAKE PRACTICALLY USELESS This evidence was corroborated by Ernest Charles Robert Fielding, who was in the council’s van with Maxwell. He said the bicycle passed the van on the left-hand side and seemed to be out of control. Bifinell’s truck was travelling very slowly, and as far as he could see there was no blame attachable to the driver. One girl seemed to be standing on the pedals of the bicycle and the other to be sitting on the carrier. Constable Stanley Lindsay, of Whangarei, said the bicycle was tested in his presence after the accident by Senior Traffic Inspector R. S. Gardener. The brake, which was of the back pedalling type, was found to be practically useless. "It certainly, would not hold two girls on such a steep hill,” he remarked. “It seems quite evident that, owing to the poor brakes on the bicycle, it became out of control. "The bicycle had a badly buckled back wheel but was otherwise not badly damaged." MEDICAL EVIDENCE

Dr G. M. Brown, assistant medical superintendent of the Whangarei Hospital. said Marlene Dent was admitted to the hospital suffering from multiple and extensive abrasions involving the left side of tjie face and neck, the left arm. the left side of the abdomen and the left thigh, and she was bleeding from the left ear.. Her. condition rapidly deteriorated and she never regained consciousness. She died half an hour after admission. In his opinion the cause of death was coma following a fracture of the base of the skull and extensive injury to the brain. Her injuries were consistent with a bicycle and motor truck accident. The coroner's verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.