CYCLIST'S DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17474, 27 February 1925, Page 1

CYCLIST'S DEATH.

SWERVED TO AVOID CAR. “ NO ONE TO BLAME.” The inquest concerning iho death of .John West all, who died after a fall from his bicycle at Marshlands Road recently, was continued at the Magistrate's Court, to* day ’ey Mr Wyveru Wilson. Coroner. At the opening o> the inquest on Wednesday. L. It. Mowbyes said that he had been driving his ear across Ihe intersection ol Marshlands Itoad and Shirley Road, and North Parade « n February .18. He was nearly info Shirley Road, travel ling slouly. with his lights on, when a cyclist passed straight in front of him. Witness thought the man had cleared his car. as there was no indication that lie had struck: it was not until he heard the bicycle fall to the ground that witness knew that an accident had taken place. Dr A. B. Pearson, ol the Christchurch Hospital, said that lie made i post mortem examination of the body on February 25. The cause or death was heart failure, following on lnemmorhage caused by a blow on the side of the head. Dr < yril Arnold King said I bat an operation was performed on Wes tall in the Christchurch Hospital, about 13.30 H.ni- on February 20. for the relief of compression. An encouraging degree of progress was established after the operation, until the morning of February 23. when pressure symptoms again became marked, associated wit It an acute congestion at the bases of botli lungs. The patient died about 10 p.m. that day. . The Coroner said that West all appeared to have been riding on the foot, path, without a light, and he suddenly crossed in front of Bowbye.s’ ear. The ear probably did not bit the cyclist. Probably what took place was that Westall, swerving to avoid tho ear. which bad passed him, became trapped m the sandy -patch at the bide of the road. Ho appeared to have l>een pitched on tho side of his head. No one was in any way to blame. Tho verdict was that Westall died from heart failure following injuries received due to a fall from a bicycle on February 18. at the intersection of North Parade. Marshlands Road, and Shirley Road.