MOTOR-CYCLE FATALITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18751, 3 January 1923, Page 3

MOTOR-CYCLE FATALITY

THE INQUEST. INSTANTANEOUS DEATH. An inquest was held by Mr H. W. Bundle. S.M., sitting us coroner, at the Morgue last evening concerning the death of William Ilastie, who died in consequence of injuries received in a motor cycle accident at .Merton on Now Year’s Day. Sergeant Turner represented the police. James ilcrbort Myers Hastio identified the body as that of his brother, who was a butcher at C'aversham. He was 50 years of age. Witness last saw his brother, who always enjoyed good health, about two months ago. Charles Philip Model! staled that lie left Dunedin with deceased at a quarter to 12 on Monday morning, deceased being on a motor cycle, and witness in the side-car. The cycle was running well, and there was no stoppage on the road. Between 1 and a quarter to 2 o'clock, just reaching Merton, they were on a good straight road, and were (ravelling 10 to 15 miles an hour. The first witness knew anything of what was happening was that he went flying through the air. There was no warning of any kind of anything going to hapi>en. Witness was rendered almost, unconscious, but on picking himself up noticed the cycle lying on top of deceased. It had turned completely over and reversed itself. Deceased was lying on his face, and an iron pin on the cycle was sticking into Jus head. This was apparently a foot-rest. Witness turned deceased over on his back and saw that deceased was quite dead. A doctor was sent for, and Dr llowdon came, and stated that deceased had Ids neck broken, and hi’ skull fractured. Witness thought the tyro on the side-car, which burst, was (ho cause of the accident. The blow-out was 6in or 9in long, and the tyro had come off the wheel lor about 18in. Witness did nor, bear any report. AVit.ness’s face was skinned and bis shoulder bruised. The wit.ness Hast'u stated that deceased owned the oycle which he had bought about six years ago. Ife was an experienced rider. Sergeant, Turner remarked that other witnesses could not throw any additional light on the matter. The Coroner said that. the evidence seemed to make it. quite clear that it was purely an unfortunate accident, and he could only find that deceased had been accidentally killed at, Merlon by rbe overturning of a motor cycle ridden by himself ; the cause of death being cerebral injuries and a broken neck . It seemed unnecessary for him to question the srjieed at which the cycle was (ravelling. The witness Madoll thought it. was no more than 15 miles an hour. It, was a very sari oceuvreneo for his wife and family, particularly at this timo of the year.