CYCLISTS AND LORRIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 14

CYCLISTS AND LORRIES

PRACTICE OF HOLDING ON ATTENTION DRAWN TO DANGER [RY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday At the inquest to-day concerning the death of a boy aged 14, Douglas Graham Mark, who, when riding a bicycle near the Basin Reserve, was killed through being involved in an accident with a motor-lorry, the coroner, Mr. McNeil, S.M., said that although there was no evidence to show that deceased had been hanging on to tho lorry, ho thought it a suitable opportunity to draw attention to tho very great danger of the practice. The driver gave evidence that he did not see the boy, but ho felt a bump at the back, of the lorry and looked back through the cab window. He saw the boy on the ground with a bicycle beside him. He went back to the boy, who by then was being assisted by other men. He asked him if he had been hanging on to tho back and the boy replied "Yes."

This evidenco was corroborated by a passenger in the truck.

A tram motorman said the boy appeared to be trying to overtake the lorry on. a corner. It turned close to the kerb and the boy appeared -o put his hand on the front mudguard in an endeavour to clear himself from the vehicle. He saw the left rear wheel of the lorry pass over the boy.

In returning a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said he was unable to say if the boy had been hanging on to the lorry, but the boy was clearly on the wrong side when passing it. The driver had used every care in turning the corner and did not know the boy was behind him.