INQUEST ON A CYCLIST
FATAL CYCLE ACCIDENT
YOUNG MAN’S DEATH.
COLLISION WITH MOTOR CAR.
At the same place at Mosgiel where, some years ago, the Rev. W. Brown was killed in a motor accident, another fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, the victim on this occasion being Thomas Clifford McCrorie. He was knocked down by a motor car, and later died at the hospital as a result of the injuries he received.
Deceased, who was nineteen years of age, was one of the competitors in a cycle road race from Mosgiel to Allanton. He was the limit man, and was thus some distance ahead of the other riders. The race started at the Railway Hotel in Gordon road. The youth was turning from Gordon road into Riccarton road when he collided with a motor car, driven by Miss Spratt, which was turning out of Riccarton road. He sustained a fractured skull and a dislocated shoulder, and died in the Dunedin Hospital at 4 o’clock yesterday morning.
The corner at which the accident occurred is an extremely dangerous one. There are high hedges on each side, and it is impossible to see any vehicle approaching from the intersecting street.
INQUEST OPENED.
An inquest was opened by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., at the hospital yesterday afternoon. Sub-inspector Eccles represented the police. James McCrorie, a carpenter, residing at 61 Grove street, Musselburgh, and the brother of the deceased, was the only witness called. He said that his brother, who was a fitter by occupation, was in good bodily health, and had never had a serious illness. He had been a cyclist for over ten years, and had competed in several previous road races. He was always very careful, and on this occasion was riding a racing machine with the grips in an almost horizontal position, turned down if anything. The inquest was then adjourned until 9.50 on Thursday morning. -Evening Star, 17/12/1923.
KILLED DURING A ROAD RACE.
(BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.)
DUNEDIN, 20th December. The inquest has concluded respecting the death of Thomas Clifford McCrorie, a cyclist, who, when riding in a cycle race on Saturday, collided with a motorcar and received a fracture of the skull.
The Coroner, in finding a verdict of accidental death, said the corner was a dangerous one on account of a high hedge. Unfortunately the guard appointed to watch the corner during the race arrived too late. Deceased must have been travelling at 18 miles per hour, which is unsafe round such a corner. Cyclists who took part in a race had no right to the road and took all liability if travelling at an unduly high speed. There was no suggestion that the motor-car was travelling fast, but the driver, Jane Spratt, was on her wrong side of the road, and evidently cut the corner. -Evening Post, 21/12/1923.
No comments:
Post a Comment