FATAL STREET COLLISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 9

FATAL STREET COLLISION.

MOTOR.CYCLE AND CART.

NO ONE HELD TO BLAME.

The inquest into the death of Henry Slade, aged 76, of 9, Patterson Street, Edendale, who died in' the Auckland Hospital on January 6, was concluded yesterday, before the coroner, Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. Deceased was admitted to the hospital after sustaining serious injury through a collision between the cart he was driving and a disabled motorcycle which was being towed by another motor-cycle. The collision, occurred on the previous day in Dominion Road. Arthur Harris, electrical engineer, residing in King Edward Street, the rider of the motor-cycle which was towing the other, said the disabled machine was about 7ft. behind his. He first saw the trap driven by deceased when it was some 200 yds. ahead of him. As witness got abreast of the trap the horse turned as if to go into Brixton Road. Witness sounded his horn before, reaching the. trap, but deceased did not seem to hear it. The wheel of the disabled motorcycle struck the cart. '■. _ .. Dr. Begg, of the Auckland Hospital, described the injuries sustained by deP6JISCcI. ' ' William-Jackson, rider of the disabled cycle, said the collision was not a severe one, and-the horse stood quite still. Deceased gave no sign of his intention to turn. '''■'; ■''•'.'•'. Michael Benney said the cycles were travelling at a slow speed. He considered the machines did not give themselves sufficient room when passing the cart. The strain on the towing rope appeared to prevent the towing cycle going, out far enough to keep clear. The -seat upon which deceased was seated did not seem to be .secured. . Had he ■.been . sitting, firmly witness did not think he would have been thrown out, as the impact was so slight. , . ~ ' i. After hearing other evidence, the coroner said the occurrence. appeared ' to' have been due to a combination of circumstances. It was an accident, and no blame attached to anybody. .....' [ ■