SEQUEL TO ROAD FATALITY

Evening Star, Issue 21746, 14 June 1934, Page 15

SEQUEL TO ROAD FATALITY

CHARGE AGAINST MOTOR CYCLIST [Per United Pkess Association.T ' WELLINGTON, Juiie 13. ’ A collision between a 'motor cycle ridden by Stanley Keith Swan, a labourer, aud a motor car driven by Alfred J. Daniel near the intersection of the Huti road and the Ngahauranga Gorge road shortly after,6.p.ni. on March 17 resulted in the death, of Edgar Wilfred London, of Jobnsonville. who was travelling on the pillion seat of the motor cycle. Swan, who received head injuries, was charged to-day before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., with negligently driving a motor cycle, thereby causing the death of London, also with driving at a speed which, having regard to all the circumstances, might be dangerous to the public. An inquest was held simultaneously. William M'Keen, traffic inspector, ■justified that he had chased the motor cycle along Hutt road. It was being ridden in an erratic mariner, with the pillion passenger swaying from side to side. Witness’s speedometer registered 58 miles per hour at one point without his appearing to gain on the motor cycle, which at Ngahauranga nearly collided with a railway bus., Entering the bridge in the gorge the impact occurred, the cycle at the time moving from the centre of the road to its correct side. It was travelling about 40 miles per hour. The pillion rider’s bead struck the right windscreen support of the car, and both men were thrown outward to strike the bridge. The motor car appeared to witness to be stationary. Harold Jarvis, who bad had two “ shandies ” at the Railway Hotel with Swan, said he saw London getting on the pillion, and advised Swan not to take him, as he was a very heavy man. Witness saw Loudon stumble as he got pu the pillion, and expressed the opinion that he was drunk. The Magistrate; In your opinion would London’s being!in that condition be a hindrance to Swan ? , Witness: Absolutely. Before adjourning the proceedings until’to-morrow the magistrate, sitting as coroner, returned an open verdict that the deceased died from injuries to the head accidentally received.