BROTHERS KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 13

BROTHERS KILLED

MOTOB-CYCLE ACCIDENT '' INQUEST At CHRISTCHURCH CORONER GIVES OPEN VERDICT [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] ,J CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday An open verdict that death was duo to head injuries involving cerebral lacerations, suffered when the motorcycle on which they were riding ran into a pole in Richmond Terrace., New Brighton, on the evening of March 27 was given by the Mr. E. 0. Levvey, S.M., when the inquest into the deaths of John William Burrowes, a carrier, aged 24, and Donald James n" - * Burrowes, a farm labourer, aged 22, both of 445 Armagh Street, Avonside, was held to-day. Leonard ■ Malcolm Chinnory, a painter, of 109 Nursery Road, said that Donald James Burrowes had visited his bach at South Brighton regularly for about six months, and brother, John William Burrowes, had not been so frequent a visitor. On March 27, which Was a Sunday, the brothers had come to his bach, the younger one, who knew the road well, driving the motor-cycle and the elder to whom the machine belonged, riding pillion. They had stayed at the ? i bach for dinner and tea. After tea they ■ each drank a light shandy, which was the only liquor they had. Positions Changed

Witness said the brothers left his bach shortly after 8 p.m. for town and changed positions on the machine. He could give no reason for this. It was pitch dark at the time, there being no moon and a slight mist. Ernest Keith Dickie, a storeman, said he had tea and a light shandy"at Chinnery's bach with the brothers and left about a minute later than they on his motor-cycle, catching up with and passing them by a few yards at 35 miles an hour. They appeared to veer off toward a track and then in an attempt to get back to the road he saw them hit a pole. He estimated their speed at no more than 30 miles an hour and said that they were not racing at the time. • Estimate of Speed Laurence Thomas Ebert, a factory worker, aged 17 years, estimated the speed of the motor-cycle at 60 miles an hour. He said he saw the accident happen and telephoned for Dr. Glasgow and an ambulance. He described" the night "as fine, and said visibility was good. He had no knowledge of motor vehicles. . Mrs. Kathleen Mary Ebert, mother of the . previous witness, said that about 8.25 p.m. she heard a terrific noise and saw two motor-cycles travelling abreast at what she considered a fast pace, although sh& had no knowledge of motor vehicles. ;