DRIVER EXONERATED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1929, Page 2

DRIVER EXONERATED

RACING CYCLISTS DEATH. WELLINGTON, December 19. The opinion that deceased’s motorcycle was ridden at a high speed and that there was no evidence tending to throw the blame for the accident on the driver of the motor-car- concerned, was expressed by the Coroner! Mr Barton, at the inquest on Colin ; Ronald M’Kenzie, a well-known racing [ motor-cyclist, who died as a result of injuries lie received in a collision at Kilbirnie early on Sunday morning. The formal finding was-that deceased 1 died from head injuries received in a collision between the motor-cycle rid- - den by him and a motor-car driven by 1 Deverell. 1 John Watte, of Devonshire Road ; Mara mar, said lie held a party at his I house at Miramar on Saturday night 1 on behalf of deceased, but none were under the influence of liquor. Deceased '* who was a very steady young man, left ( - the house to take a young lady to !1 Cuba Street on the back of bis motorcycle. Tie was returning to the house when the collision occurred, as lie in- '' tended to spend Sunday with witness •' at Worser Bay. ** To the Coroner: It was not a drunken party. Very little liquor was taken * ; M.’Kenzie bad none at all. * Deverell gave evidence that a motor ° cycle came up at a terrific speed. 1 A police constable said the pillion ‘ seat of the cycle was found eighty-four ‘ > feet away. The side of the motor car 11 was stove in. The Coroner remarked that the facts 01 spoke for themselves. Deceased was 11 on the wrong side of the road and had only to swerve four and a half feet to avoid the ear. Then there was the Jj silent testimony of the pillion seat be-*

) ing eiglity-lfour feet down the road and having been thrown either over the top of the car or round it. He was satisfied from the evidence that tiie | parties were quite sober.