MOTOR FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1965, 23 January 1914, Page 8

MOTOR FATALITY.

.v||i#AT PALMERSTON, OWELUNGTON RESIDENT KILLED. .'.. (By Telefira.ph.-BlKrein.l- CoirrcFpondcnU ... ■■ ■ ' Palmorotan, January 22. ■■■.A. distressing incideiit- occurred at Awaptmi racecourse, this afternoon, causing the death of Mr. Harold i'liiamer, a well-known Wellington motorcyclist. • l)cceasc-d was covering tl» last lap of tho five mite light-weight handicap, when his machine swerved near the stewards' stand, collided with the rail, and . rebounded ■on' to tho course. Another competitor (Colenin.n) was unable to avoid him, and his motorcycle went over Mr..Slimmer, Colcmaii also being thrown oil. Dr. Bctt was quickly in attendance, but the injured rider died shortly after ho arrived. Tho fatality cast a- gloom over the meeting, and. although the Sports Committee found it- impracticable, to discontinue the meeting altogether, they-decided to adjourn tho procedings for an hour, out of respect to the memory .of deceased. Further, details indicate that there : were about eight riders ■' in _ the. event, and theso were divided in sfereral groups. Deceased , was leading the second group, a!id travelling at a rato of fifty "miles.an'hour'.-- Tile rate had nearly ended, when, from some obscuro cause, which noho of tho spectators aro able to explain', his'machine was seen to turn sharply -to' the rail. It struck a standard, snapping it,' and Mr. Plimmor was then ripptraitly hurt. Eider and machine rebounded'to the track, where Coloinan's liiachino dashed over him. unseating Colcmnn. Tho cause of tile swerving of tho machine was the subject of much-specu-lation; None among the hundreds who wcro looking on: can'do lnoro than guess vaguely.■ It is • stated tTtat .Mr. Plimmcr glanced round momentarily just be* forehand, but it,. is . considered ■. inconceivable that this movement would turn a machine so rigid iss a motor-cycle, «s----pecially at such a speed, A theory that the handle-bar became loose: is disposed of by tho fact that it was after* wards examined and found in good order. His frioiuk. also are iierfectly satisfied that he was riding With Ins usual equanimity at.tho time. Thonatin'c of tho track cannot bo blamed. The incident occurred,, not at s corner where a bad track might possibly place a rider in ■ difficulties■ going -..at top speed, but in tho'straight past the stand. • Mr. Plimmor, too, was no novice. Ho knew- this track, having raced here Inst Anniversary Day. He won tho liehtweight championship at Tauhcrenikau last Thursday, ■ and secured some big wins in reliability trials. Motorcycling had n creat fascination for him. As one of his friends put it. the tuning up of a motor-cycle was. his life's stndy, and, being a man of independent means, he had ample opportunity to cultivate this taste. On this occasion he was riding a Douglas machine. Amouu; the numerous attendance from outside districts were- many persona! friends of deceased, Tho doctor and eoronor have both .given certificates, thus rendering an intniest unnecessary Deceased was about thirty-five yea,rs of aps\ and was married. [Mr. Harold Pliiinntjr was the second son of Mrs. H. Plimmor, of No. I. George Street, Wellington, nnd a grandson of the la'to Mr. John Pliniiner; one of Wellington's identities. Ho was knownas a very skilful and experienced motor-cyclist,- and has probably, won more prizes in motor-cycle tests than any. other ,lotsa};"jvjflrc)[ Hfl-; mis; also a frequent, prize-winner as an amateur photographer, and was a reliable'rifle, shot. The deceased' married a daughter of Jir. W. C. Nation,, and leaves onb child.], "'