CYCLIST’S DEATH

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 10

CYCLIST’S DEATH

COLLIDES WITH MOTOR VAN NO BLAME TO DRIVER Dominion Special. Christchurch, November 27. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Stephen Payne, a married man, 58 vears of age, who died in the Christchurch Hospital on November 20 as the result of a collision with a motor van driven by Frederick Withers, was concluded by Mr. H. A. Young, Coroner, to-day. Withers gave evidence that the accident was due to Payne pulling over to his wrong side to cross in front of the motor van. Witness put on his brakes but could not stop in time to avoid a collision. The cyclist struck the front of his van and fell to the road. Dr. W. E. Minty, house surgeon, stated that Payne could speak when admitted to the Christchurch Hospital, but he knew nothing of the accident. There was blood underneath the scalp and Pavne had all the signs of cerebral irritation. He fell unconscious and it was decided to operate to relieve the pressure on his brain, lhe patient did not rally and died some hours later. The cause of death was laceration of the brain, probably due to fracture of the base of the skull A verdict was returned that Payne died from the injuries he received through accidentally colliding with a moving motor-van while he was riding a bicycle. The Coroner remarked that no blame was attachable to the driver of the van.