MOTOR-CYCLE MENACE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20253, 23 July 1937, Page 6

MOTOR-CYCLE MENACE.

VICTORIA STREET FATALITY. WARNING BY CORONER. “ I cannot conclude that this was a pure accident. It seems to me that with the motor-cyclist driving at 20 mile's an hour there was very little chance of escape for a pedestrian about to cross the street. This is the second time within a short period that a pedestrian has been killed in Victoria Street by a motor-cyclist. These accidents show that motor-cyclists are a danger to pedestrians in congested areas such as Victoria Street,” commented the coroner, Mr F. W. Plaits, at the Inquest into the death of Charles Isaao McDonald, an elderly man, of Taupirl, who was knocked down in Victoria Street recently. In returning a verdict that deceased died as a result of injuries received when he was struck by a motor-cycle, the coroner said that he hoped that this accident would be a warning to others. The motor-cyclist, Donald Sidney Lnnglands, garage attendant, of Whatawhata, stated that he was travelling along Victoria Street at 20 miles an hour when deceased stepped out from behind a line of cars. Witness said that he swerved outwards. Deceased did not appear to have' looked out for approaching traffic. Interviewed in hospital four days after the accident by Constable G. C. Donnelly deceased stated that he was struck when half way across the street and he had looked both ways for approaching traffic.