CRASHED INTO 'BUS.
Girl Motor Cyclist Was Killed.
PILLION RIDER INJURED.
"Ethel not to blame," said the young man pillion rider, now in hospital, concerning Miss Ethel Florence Hearn (22), shop assistant, of 868, Garratt-lane, Tooting, who was killed last Saturday night while driving a motor-cycle in Nightingale-lane. Wandsworth Common. when she came into contact with an omnibus.
Miss Hearn was killed on the spot, and a young man named Fennell, who was riding pillion, is suffering from serious injuries.
The inquest on Miss Hearn was held Tuesday at Battersea. Mr. Ingleby the coroner, sitting with a Jury,
Richard Hearn, blacksmith, of Garratt Lane, Tooting, the father of the girl was very distressed. He said his daughter had ridden a motor-cycle for three years, and knew well the district where the accident happened.
Witness had seen the young man pillion-rider in hospital, and he said, "Ethel is not to blame. She was going to stop on the near-side of the road, when the 'bus hit her sideways."
Dr. Piggott, of St James' Hospital, said the girl was brought in dead on Saturday. The post-mortem examination revealed a fracture on the left side of the skull and a ruptured spleen. Death was due to shock from injuries.
EYEWITNESS'S STORY
A graphic account of the accident given by Mr. James David Norval, a postman, of Swaby-road. Earlsfield. He stated that he was riding on top of a 'bus. No. 67, going towards Clapham. At the junction of Bolingbroke-grove and Nightingale-lane witness noticed a motor-cycle about 60 yards away, coming along Bolingbroke-grove. The cycle had a pillion-rider.
"I should imagine." continued Mr. Norval, "that the cycle was doing from thirty to thirty-five miles an hour. It was following the direct route of a No. 49 'bus. As the cyclist approached the 'bus I was on, she suddenly altered her line of direction, going to the left, and crossing the bus about two yards in front of it. The 'bus driver sounded his horn and swerved to try and avoid a collision, but the cyclist crashed into the 'bus head on."
The Coroner: Supposing she had not turned at all, would she have cleared the 'bus? — Yes, by about three yards.
What did the driver do? — He had his 'bus braked all the way, and when he saw the cyclist coming straight for him he turned to the right, to try and avoid the collision.
Witness added that the 'bus driver pulled up in about 10 feet, first mount the pavement.
MISTOOK THE 'BUS
P.C. Durbridge, attached to Wandsworth Common Police Station, said he was caned to the scene after the accident. The explanation be had to offer of the affair was that the cyclist mistook the No. 87 'bus for a No 49. and when she discovered her mistake she tried to cut in front of the 'bus.
The Coroner: That would explain it.
Mr. William Lewis Plass. of New-street. Kennington, the driver of 'bus, said he saw the girl cyclist coming from Bolingbroke-grove, and he sounded his horn to give warning. " Was expecting her to turn to the right," added witness. "but when she turned to the left In front of my 'bus. I swerved away to try and avoid a collision, but it was impossible. I think the cycle caught my starting wheel."
DRIVER'S CLEAN RECORD.
Witness added that he was travelling St about ten miles an hour. and when cyclist cut in front of him she Vas three yards from the 'bus. He had been driving for 15 years and had a clean licence.
In summing up, the coroner remarked that the explanation of the accident was that the girl cyclist must have mistaken the 'bus, and when she found it was coming towards her she cut Its front.
"In my opinion," added Mr. Oddle, the 'bus driver did everything that was reasonable to avoid the accident."
The jury readily returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and exonerated the 'bus driver from all blame.
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