THE RIVER BANK ACCIDENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11043, 4 September 1903, Page 7

THE RIVER BANK ACCIDENT.

Case Before the Local, Court, The hearing of the charge against Malcolm Birchley was continued this afternoon, when Mr Cohen called Malcolm Birchley, the defendant, who detailed his movements up to the time of the accident. Ho stated that he was -riding on his right side of the road,, and could see a lady cyclist coming towards him, about 60 yards distant. When they got within twelve yards of each other the aeyclist suddenly swerved^-toasrards witness, and came right across.,the road. Thought she did not see witness approaching. The horse did not make much noise cantering along the soft part of the road. If the cyclist had continued on her right course from where he Baw' her and had not swerved there would have been a clean three yards between them when they passed. A.t the time of the accident witness had his horse properly under control. Had lever yet seen, a horse that would face a bright'light. and did not think anyhhr 33o r33r33r33 be made to run into one. When the •yclist swerved rhe screamed, and when •hey collided witness felt the toe of his right foot strike what he thought was the lady's shoulder* The horse- bounded away with fright, and, bolted, and got out of ".ontrol for seven or eight- chains along the river road. He pulled up as soon as possible and came back to the lady. There was not a> soul on the footpath when the 'lorse bolted. When witness got back the lady was sitting on tho road, on tfye river side wheel mark, with her hand on her bicycle. Asked her if she was hurt. T,nd she made no answer. She imittrred ■aoniethiner to herself after he spoke to her. Rode a, little further on .and called, out ''Jack," to a friend he had left behind, but did not see him. Did not think the girl .was hurt, and decided to pursue his iourney. He did' so because he thought if >nybody saw him standing by the lady they might' think he had knocked her down' otherwise than by' accident, and he concluded that she did not want witness to recognise her. As he was doing so he saw a lady on the footpath. The case is proceeding as we go to press.