CYCLIST'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 18

CYCLIST'S DEATH

COLLISION AT WIRI EVIDENCE AT INQUEST FURTHER INQUIRY ORDERED An inquest into the dentli of William Harolcl Guzzwell, motor mechanic, ageel 16, of S Mackv Street, City, who was killed when the motor-cycle he was riding was involved in a collision with a service car on the Great South lioad at Wiri, on October 6, 1935, was continued yesterday before Mr. \V. 11. McKean, S.M., coroner. Proceedings were watched by Mr. T. S. Piggin on behalf of deceased's relatives, Mr. Goldwater, on behalf of tho driver of the service car with which tho motor-cycle collided, Mr. Singer, for the other occupant of the motor-cycle, and Mr. 11. Meredith for the insurance company. Horace Kewley Freestone, aged 16, said he was returning from Tuakau on the motor-cycle with deceased. From Tuakau to Slippery Creek, witness drove with deceased on the pillion seat, but deceased kept pressing witness to allow him to drive. They changed over and up to tho time of the fatality deceased drove. Ho had no recollection of what had happened after ho saw a motor-vehicle looming up in front. Witness suffered a broken arm and a broken lea. When witness was first interviewed by the police he said he was driving the machine, as he did not know deceased was dead, and ho wanted to protect deceased, as ho did not have a driver's licence. After he learned of tho death witness told his father and a solicitor that ho was the pillionrider. He had had the machine only about three weeks and had not previously driven a motor-cyclo. The driver of tho service car, Maurice William Evershed, said he was passing a bus when the motor-cyclo hit tho car on the right-hand side of the front bumper. One man and tho cycle were thrown to the right, but he did not sco tho other man. He did not see the cycle until it suddenly shot from behind the bus. Frederick O'Neill, waterside worker, said lie was driving his motor-car along the Great South Road when tho accident occurred in front of him He swerved to avoid the two men lying in the road and his car overturned. Ho was positive Freestone was driving the motor-cycle. He followed the cycle from Drury and if there had been a change of riders he would have been aware of it. However, witness later stated ho was not quite clear on the point. Alfred John O'Neill, aged 16, son of the previous witness, said the motorcyclo was not travelling very fast while the car was following it, bnc when it suerved to pass the bus it did so quickly. Ho saw Freestone driving the. cycle at Slippery Creek and where the accident occurred. Ho did not tell the polico who was riding because he was not asked.

"I am very sorry to have to adjourn this matter further," said the coroner, "but because of the evidence of the two O'Neills, and because of Freestone's statement, I want a further investigation to be made." The inquest was adjourned for two weeks.