Mexborough and Swinton Times, June 28, 1929
Fatal Speed.
Young Denaby Motor-Cyclist Killed
Crashed Into Van.
The speed at which he was travelling and the fact that he was glancing at the rear wheel of his machine were advanced as reasons for a fatal accident to Jack Stott (25), architect’s assistant at the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries residing at 18, Earlsmere Avenue, Balby, Doncaster, upon whom the Doncaster Borough Coroner ( Mr.W. Bagshaw) and a jury held an inquest at the Guild Hall, Doncaster, on Monday.
Edgar Burkill, an insurance agent, of The Grove, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, said that on June 10 he was cycling along Warmsworth Road, about noon, when deceased passed him on a motor-cycle, travelling at about 35 miles an hour. He was looking at his rear wheel as if something had gone wrong.
A motor van was at that time turning slowly into Anelay Road. Stott was about to do the same, and, failing to see the van in time, crashed into it.
Similar evidence was given by another cyclist.
Wm Harsley, the driver of the van, said he drove toward Anelay Road at about 12 miles an hour, and then slowed to about seven, as there were children about and he wanted to turn into Anelay Road. Before turning, he indicated his intention of doing so for a distance of 30 yards. There was no other traffic within sight, except a stationary car 80 yards away, when he turned. The first thing he knew of the accident was that; there was a crash into the side of his van just as he was turning. He thought the rear wheel had come off. The van was lifted off two of the side wheels by the force of the impact and half canted over.
Dr, Dewhurst, house surgeon at Doncaster Infirmary, said Stott was admitted on the previous Monday and died on Friday from a fracture of the skull and meningitis.
The Coroner said it seemed dear that the accident was due to the speed at which the deceased was traveling. It was probable that owing to his action in glancing to the rear of the machine he did not see the van until he was right on, top of it, and then it was too late.
A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned, the jury attaching no blame to anyone.