FATAL SEQUEL TO MOTOR SMASH
DUNEDIN, October 22.
As the result of injuries received in a motor accident at Stirling on Saturday morning, Mr Daniel Hessey Davey, a single man, aged 26, employed at the Stirling dairy factory, died in the Balclutha Hospital to-day. His parents live at Stirling. -Ashburton Guardian, 23/10/1933.
FATALITY ON THE STIRLING ROAD
(From Our Own Correspondent:)
BALCLUTHA, October 22.
A shocking fatality occurred on the Stirling road on Saturday at about noon. Daniel Hessey Davey, aged 26 years, a son of Mr William Davey, of Stirling, left the Stirling Dairy Factory, where he was employed as an assistant, at about 11.20 a.m., on his way to Balclutha. He was riding a motor cycle, and when turning off the factory road on to the main Stirling Balclutha road he collided with a motor car driven by Mr R. C. Wilson, agent for Dalgety and Co. at Balclutha, and received injuries which resulted in his death in Balclutha Hospital at 7.20 the same evening. There is a plantation of trees at the corner where the accident occurred which obscures the view when approaching it, and neither motorist nor cyclist saw each other until the collision took place. The car then swerved to the left, struck a green hedge, and turned over on its side. The deceased appeared to be under the car, and the body, had been carried about 25 yards from where the impact took place to the spot where the car struck the fence. Mr Wilson fortunately escaped without much injury. An inquest will be held before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., coroner for the district, to-morrow, at the Balclutha courthouse. The deceased, who was a single man, belonged to a well-known Stirling family, and along with his brother had been employed in the Stirling factory for some years. He was a popular member of the Star Football Club, and one of the club’s leading players. -Otago Daily Times, 23/10/1933.
MOTOR CYCLIST’S DEATH
INQUEST AT BALCLUTHA
The adjourned inquest into the death of Daniel Hessey Davey, who died as the result of an accident at Stirling on October 21, was resumed at Balclutha yesterday. Mr W. Kean, J.P., was acting-coroner, and there was a jury of four. Mr C. B. Barrowclough represented the Stirling Dairy Factory, Mr A. C. Hanlon represented Mr U. C. Wilson, who was the other party in the accident, and Mr R. R. origor watched proceedings on behalf of the relatives of the deceased.
Thomas Duncan, manager of the Stirling Dairy Factory, stated that the deceased had been in the company’s employ for the past six years, he saw deceased on the day of the accident and he appeared to be in his usual health. At about 11.10 a.m. he sent him to Balclutha on business to the bank, which closed that day at 11.30. The distance to the town was 2 1/2 miles. The weather was bad, there being a stiff south breeze and snow and sleety showers. The deceased would be facing the wind when going down the Factory road to the main road. The distance from the factory to the main road was six or eight chains.
Richard Wilson, agent for Dalgety and Co. Ltd at Balclutha, stated that he was returning to Balclutha from Stirling between 11.15 and 11.30 on the day of the accident. He was driving a car along the low road, and when he approached the intersection at the Factory road he was travelling at about 20 m.p.h. He was over the crossing when he noticed a motor cyclist appear from the right side and strike the car. The wheel was knocked from his hand, and the next thing he knew was when he felt himself going over when the car fell on its side. He had sounded his horn. After the collision the car swerved along the hedge on the left and toppled over. He immediately ran to the store nearby and telephoned the police station at Balclutha. He heard no sound from the cyclist, and had been keeping a good look-out. He knew it was a dangerous corner and always kept a look-out.
To Mr Barrowclough, witness stated that he did not know that according to law no intersection should be crossed at a greater speed than 15 m.p.h. A man coming down the Factory road on the right would run the risk of a collision at the corner.
In answer to Mr Hanlon, witness stated that the car was in good running order and was efficiently braked. He would swear definitely that he was past the intersection of the road when the bicycle struck the side of the car, which was travelling at the time on the correct side of the road.
David Milne, an employee of the Stirling Dairy Factory, stated that he last saw Davey at 21min or 22min past 11. He was then just leaving for Balclutha on his motor cycle. He watched him for 100yds down the road and he was travelling slowly, as the road was greasy. Very shortly afterwards he heard there had been an accident, and he hastened to the corner. He found the cycle lying on the left-hand side of the Stirling-Balclutha road, and found the deceased lying against the hedge some distance away. The car was about a yard ahead and was tipped up on its side, he saw no skid marks or marks of dragging, although such marks would be easily visible on the road surface.
Dr D. M. Frengley detailed deceased’s injuries, and gave his opinion that they were caused by the man’s skull coming into violent contact with some surface. Death was due to cerebral laceration and fracture at the base of the skull.
Constable G. Watkins, of Balclutha, said that the cycle was 36ft away from the car and in the middle of the road. It was in low gear when picked up. In the middle of the road were skid marks almost directly opposite the Balclutha side of the Factory road. There was a deep dent on the rear left wheel of the cycle, and the dumb iron in front of the car showed a severe bump. These dents were both 14in above the ground.
To Mr Hanlon, witness stated that both the dumb irons on the car were dented and that there was nothing to indicate that the dented parts on the car and the cycle had been in contact.
To Mr Grigor, witness said that when past the trees on the right-hand side of the road there was a clear view right up to the factory. From the evidence he would say that the car was travelling slowly.
Constable Boyle, of Balclutha, corroborated the evidence of the former witness. There were marks on the right-hand side of the car, but he could not say how they were caused. The brakes were in good order. The skids were caused by the motor cycle.
The previous witness, recalled, said that he was not familiar enough with a motor cycle to say whether it was possible for the gear to be shitted by the jar of the collision.
The jury then retired to examine the car and the cycle. After an absence of half an hour a verdict was given that the deceased met his death as the result of injuries received accidentally in a collision with a motor car while he was riding a motor cycle. No blame was attachable to either party. -Evening Star, 2/11/1933.
No comments:
Post a Comment