FATAL COLLISION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 14 June 1934, Page 7

FATAL COLLISION.

Sequel to Death of Pillion Rider. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, [tine 13. A collision between a motor-cycle ridden by Stanley Keith Swan, a labourer, and a motor-car driven K y Alfred J. Daniel, near the intersection of Hutt Road and the Ngafiauraiiga Gorge Road shortly after 0 p.m. on March 17 resulted in the death of Edgar Wilfred London, of Johns m ville, who was travelling on the pillion seat of the motor-cycle. Swan, who received head injuries was charged to-day, before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., with negligently driving a motor-cycle, thereby causing the death of London; also with driving at a speed which, having regaid to all the circumstances, might be dangerous to the public. An inquest was held simultaneously with the hearing of the charges. William M’Keen, traffic inspector, testified that he had chased the motorcycle along the Hutt Road. It was being ridden in an erratic manner, with the pillion rider swaying from side to side. Witness’s speedometer registered 58 miles per hour at one point without his appearing to gain on the motorcycle, which at Ngahauranga nearly collided with a railway bus. Entering a bridge in the gorge the impact occurred. The cycle at thg time was moving from the centre of the road to its correct side, and was travelling about 40 miles per hour. The pillion rider’s head struck the right windscreen support of the car, and both men were thrown outward to strike the bridge railing before hitting the road. The motor-car appeared to witness to be stationary. Harold Jarvis, who had two “ shandies ” at the Railway Hotel with Swan, said he saw London getting on the pillion and advised Swan not to take him, as he was a very heavy man. Witness saw London stumble as he got on the pillion and expressed the opinion that he was drunk.

The Magistrate: In your opinion would London’s being in that condition be a hindrance to Swan? Witness: Absolutely.

Before adjourning the proceedings until to-morrow the Magistrate, sitting as Coroner, returned an open verdict that deceased died from injuries to the head, accidentally received.