FATALITY SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22859, 14 October 1937, Page 19

FATALITY SEQUEL

PEDESTRIAN'S DEATH CHARGE AGAINST CYCLIST FINED FOR NEGLIGENT RIDING Av A n TCll , St ' Dcmald Burt > a g e d 18 (Mr. nest) charged with negligently riding a bicycle, appeared in the Police Court before Mr. W. It. McKean, S.M., yesterday.

The case arose from a collision between Burt and a pedestrian, Eric Watson, printer, aged 25, who died in the Auckland Hospital from injuries received when he was knocked down at the corner of Pitt Street and Wellington Street on September 2. Sub-Inspector Fox said tho police had given serious consideration as to what charge to lay, and had decided to proceed on the charge of negligent riding. Burt, in a statement made to Constable Carson, said that Watson stepped back in front of the cycle. David Wright Thomas, an eye-wit-ness, gave evidence that Burt swung round the corner from Pitt Street to Wellington Street at a fast speed. Watson was knocked down and hit his hoad on tho road.

John W. Badley, another eye-witness, said the cyclist was riding fairly fast, and did not seem to seo Watson or reduce his speed.

In evidence Burt" said that Watson hesitated, and ho was unable to steer his cyclo away from him. He went over, the handlebars, and fell on top of Watson. Mr. West said tho fact that the cyclist and tho pedestrian fell together showed that the speed was not excessive. r "The evidence of the witnesses' who saw the accident states that the pedestrian did not hesitate," said the magistrate. "There was 110 reason for him to hesitate until he saw that the cyclist was not going to turn. Pedestrians have as much right to be protected from negligent cyclists as from negligent drivers. The cyclist was extremely careless in the manner in which ho turned into the street." A fine of £2 and costs was imposed.