CYCLIST’S DEATH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18616, 11 July 1930, Page 7

CYCLIST’S DEATH

MOTORIST’S EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON, July 10. The circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Hickey, postal officer (23), were investigated by the Cor ler to-day. Deceased was riding a motorcycle, and was injured in a collision with a car near Sandon on April 12. He died on May 19. The doctor who attended the deceased at the hospital, stated that the cause of death was surgical shock, supervening on a debilitated condition of general health, following the extremely serious nature of the injuries, it being stated that an operation was necessary to effect a union of the fractures, the bones failing to knit. Death was not really attributable to the direct effect of anaesthesia. John Joseph Evans, driver of the car, said he was travelling at 35 miles per hour, approaching the corner near Mt. Stewart. He tried to slacken speed, but the accelerator did not come up. He stooped down to pull it up, but knocked the steering wheel, causing the car to wobble jujst as the car reached the corner Hickey came round and a crash occurred. Witness applied the brakes and the car turned over. Witness said he had had five drinks that afternoon—three before and two after the football match. He would not deny that he had more than two after the match. The Coroner said he would make no comment on the evidence in view of the likelihood of subsequent proceedings. The verdict returned was in accordance with the medical evidence.