CRASH AT SPEEDWAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 902, 20 February 1930, Page 13

CRASH AT SPEEDWAY

MOTOR-CYCLIST INJURED HEAD STRUCK BY MACHINE Struck on the head in a spectacular motor-cycle collision at Western Springs stadium last evening during a race meeting on the’ cinder track, Selwyn Casey, aged 20, of Orakei Road, Remuera, was taken to the Auckland Hospital with fairly serious injuries. This morning his condition was reported to be improving. Four riders went* away in this event and, coming to the last bend on the second time round, Casey was riding second with Alt Mattson close behind. Casey failed to recover from his broadside and fell with his machine across the track. Mattson immediately went into a fierce slide but was too close to avoid the fallen rider, who was beginning to struggle to his feet, and some projecting portion struck Casey on the head. He fell back unconscious. Mattson’s machine then turned over, throwing the rider several feet down the track. Spinks, an Australian, who was riding next, managed to avoid both men. After a hurried examination Casey was taken by the St. John Ambulance to tlie Auckland Hospital, regaining consciousness oil the journey. He had been injured previously through falling from his machine on the road. On that occasion his skull was fractured and a silver plate had to be inserted. The handlebars of Casey’s piachine were snapped off clean at the steering head in the fall, and the front wheel and forks badly twisted. The glass of his goggles was a mass of cracks but, owing to its special construction, had not splintered.