DEATH OF CYCLIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21742, 6 March 1934, Page 11

DEATH OF CYCLIST

SOUTH KOAD ACCIDENT YOUTH STRUCK BY TAXI EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST An inquest concerning the death of Roy Edward Simmons, aged 16, a Papatoetoe cyclist, who was killed in a traffic accident on the Great South Road, Westfield, on February 26, was held before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., coroner, at Otahuhu yesterday.

Percy Pennell, carrier, of Papatoetoe, said he was driving his motor-truck toward Westfield about noon on the date of the accident. He noticed deceased riding his cycle behind the truck. He kept him under observation as he did not, approve of this practice. As witness approached the entrance to the Westfield freezing works he observed another truck about to pass through on to the main road, and he slowed down. He then heard the sound of a collision, and immediately brought his truck to a stop. The truck ahead of witness did likewise. Witness looked back and saw deceased lying on the road near the 'centre line of the concrete. A taxicab which had passed witness' truck had stopped about 6ft. from deceased. There were tyre marks on the road where the taxi-driver had applied his brakes. The speed of the taxi prior to the accident had been normal, and ivitness considered the driver could not have acted more promptly. The taxi-driver, Edwin Stanley White, said his speed when approaching the Westfield freezing works gates was about 20 miles an hour. He observed the two trucks and when Pennell slowed down the cyclist suddenly appeared from behind his truck. Deceased would be about 15ft. to 20ft. ahead of the taxi when he appeared on the roadway. He was about the centre of the road, and in straightening up his cycle he fell off the machine and rolled under the front wheels of the taxi. Witness said he braked immediately and stopped. He found' deceased lying behind the taxi bleeding from head injuries. Prior to the sudden appearance of deceased from behind the truck witness had not seen him on the road. Ho estimated deceased's speed at about 15 miles an hour.

Neil Lake, the driver of a motor vehicle following about 50 yards behind the taxi, said the cyclist suddenly swerved out from behind Pennell's truck.

Medical evidence was given that deceased was admitted to Auckland Hospital suffering from a fracture of the skull and died shortly after admission. Constable L. Nicol said he had examined the bicycle. The handles and both wheels were slightly buckled. He also found that the handles were loose where the stem entered the head of the frame. This would throw the rider if he attempted a sudden swerve. The cycle was a fixed-wheel, racing model, with no brakes.

The coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from shock caused by injuries accidentally received.