DEATH OF MRS CAUGHLEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 2

DEATH OF MRS CAUGHLEY

/ EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day. At the inquest in regard to the death of Mrs G'aughley in a motor accident at Kelburn on Sunday, Mr Caughley gave evidence that on going through the cutting at ten miles an hour, lie noticed a hoy coming at him on a bicycle five yards away, and on the wrong side of the roaci. A collision was inevitable and he swung the car to the right, at the same time applying the foot brake. The cyclist, however, swerved in the same direction, and struck him about the middle of the road. Up to that time, Mr Caughley said, he did not realise that .they were in danger. He saw that they were heading for the fence and applied the full pressure of the brakes, but the car vent on through the fence and over the bank. Both brakes were adjusted a fortnight before the accident, He believed that though the collision was unavoidable, he would not have left the road if he had applied the full pressure of the brakes immediately he saw the hoy. The Coroner said that if both parties had kept to the left the accident might not have happened. However, there was no absolute la\v regarding positions on the road. It appeared to him that if there was an error of judgment, it was on the part of Mr Caughley in concluding that the cyclist could get past him; but lie would not say it was a wrong conclusion, that Mr Caughley came to. He should have applied both brakes fully when lie saw the cyclist, and the car would probably have stopped before reaching the fence. ... A verdict of death from injuries through being accidentally crushed was g iv en. . . The Coroner expressed sympathy with Mr Caughley and family.