FATAL ACCIDENT TO HARRY ELKES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 59

FATAL ACCIDENT TO HARRY ELKES.

Harry Elkes, of Gten Falls, New York, one of the foremost bicycle riders in America, was killed on the afternoon of May 30 while competing in a bike race at Charles River Park.. Elkes was thrown from his wheel by the bursting of the rear tyre as he was making a sharp turn. Ho vf)Jled down tho track, was struck on the head by a motor cycle, which split his head open, and he died before reaching the hospital. Elkes was riding in a 20-mile motor paced race against Stinson (of Cambridge), Moran (of Chelsea), and Bobby Walthour (of Atlanta). On the fifth mile Elkes passed all and took the lead, which he maintained until the accident just after passing the sixteenth mile. At the tenth mile he was nearly a minute ahead of the world's recora, making it in 12min 30 3-ssec, tho lfrord being 13min 27£ sec At 15 miles he was lmin 48seo ahead of the record, his time being 18min 40sec. The force of tho collision threw Frank Gatley, of Roxbnry, the head m»n. on Stinson's motor evelo, and Stinfion. who was following with head down, struck Gatley and was thrown. Elkes was picked up and carried in a police ambulance to the Massachusetts General Hospital, but died before arriving thore. Stinson and Gatley wero also hurried to the hospital Walthour and Moran continued the race, the former winning, his time for the 20 miles being 26m in 50 2-siec.