RIDER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 16

RIDER'S DEATH

MOTOR-CYCLE. HITS CAE SEVERE INJURIES CAUSED LONG WAIT FOR AMBULANCE '[ n V TKLEGBAPIT—OWN COUHESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Wednesday As a remilt of injuries received whon the motor-cycle he was riding collided with a motor-cur, Mr. Robert James Strawbridge, of Waiotira, aged 43, a married man with five children, died in the Whangarei Hospital early this morning. Mr. Strawbridge, who was employed by tho Whangarei County Council as a surfaceman, was returning homo from work yesterday ovening on his motorcycle, and when rounding a corner on tiio Whangarei side of Waiotira he collilcd with a largo sedan car driven by Mr. M. Mason, also of Waiotira. Tho deceased was thrown heavily from his machine against a bank on the side of tho road. Tho cycle was not damaged to any extent, but tho front right mudguard of tho car was torn from tho runniug-board by tho force of the impact. Tho road at the scene of the accident is narrow. Mr. Strawbridge lay on tho sido of tho road for about threo hours before the ambulance that had been called from Whangarei, 25 miles away, arrived, aud it was not until 10 p.m., four and a-half hours after tho accident, that he was admitted to the Whangarei Hospital. It was there found that Mr. Strawbridge was suffering from the effects of a haemorrhage of tho right thigh and ?» fracture of tho femur and pelvis. He failed to rally and died at 5.20 this morning from heart failure following shock duo to the injuries he had received. An inquest was opened to-day before Mr. H. C. Hemphill, district coroner, and after evidence of identification and tho medical evidenco as to tho cause of death,had been given, the hearing was adjourned.