Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier Saturday 03 Sep 1938
Page 3 Column 5
SEARCH FOR 'BUS DRIVER
TAUNTON ACCIDENT MYSTERY
INQUEST ON CYCLIST ADJOURNED
Taunton police are trying to trace the driver of a Western National 'bus which is believed to have been involved in a collision with a cyclist in East-street on August 6th.
The cyclist, Thomas HAWKINS, 6, Alma-street, Taunton, an insurance and yeast agent, died at his home on Monday.
The inquest was opened on Thursday by Mr. G. P. CLARKE, coroner for West Somerset, and after all available evidence had been taken it was adjourned in the hope that the 'bus driver or passengers may be traced through newspaper reports.
Mr. R. W. YOUNG represented the relatives, Mr. C. M. B. KITE, the insurance company by whom the dead man was insured.
The foreman of the jury was Mr. V. R. TRICKEY.
The Coroner said an important point in the case was whether the 'bus came in contact with Mr. HAWKINS, causing him to fall, or whether he had an attack of giddiness and fell without contact with the 'bus.
CHANGED AFTER ACCIDENT
The widow, Mrs. Harriett HAWKINS, said before August 6th her husband had been in good health and had not seen a doctor for 2½ years. He left home at 7.45 a.m. on his bicycle and returned at 10.45 in a very distressed state. She asked what was the matter and he replied. “A motor-cycle touched my bike and I fell towards a 'bus.” She sent for the doctor. His right arm and the bottom of the back were bruised. Since the accident he had changed completely, and died at home at 4.20 p.m. on Monday.
In reply to Mr. YOUNG Mrs. HAWKINS said her husband had never complained of head pains and had never suffered from fainting fits or dizziness. He had ridden a bicycle daily for 30 years. After the accident he became rambling in his speech and she could not understand what he was saying at times. His sight was tested recently and he had a new pair of glasses.
NO INJURIES.
Dr. Reginald HUSBANDS, who attended Mr. HAWKINS after the accident, said he was in a shocked condition and shaking. He said he had had an accident. Later he said that something had touched his front wheel and he fell from his bicycle. There was no injury apart from minor bruises. He went to bed, and during his illness various symptoms occurred such as muffled speech and some paralysis of the right side of the face. He became very confused in his though and latterly quite incoherent. Pneumonia developed, and then congestion of the lungs, from which he died.
The Coroner: Do you consider that this accident was in any way a contributory cause of death? - Yes, I think it might have been.
CLOTTING OF ARTERIES.
Dr.
Godfrey CARTER, pathologist, reported on his post-mortem examination.
There were no marks of injury and the heart was not diseased. The
cause of death was terminal pneumonia and pulmonary oedema following
thrombosis (clotting) of branches of the cerebral arteries.
Dr.
CARTER agreed that the accident may have been a cause of death, and
added “I gather from Dr. HUSBANDS' evidence that the man had
been decidedly shaken and that there was altered mental condition. I
think that in a man of that age, suffering from a raised blood
pressure and disease of the arteries of the brain, that the impact
with the road may well have so damaged some of the branches of the
cereberal <sic> arteries as to cause clotting.
The
Coroner: If the accident had not occurred he might still have been
allive? <sic>
Dr. CARTER: That is my opinion.
In reply to Mr. KITE, Dr. CARTER said the man might have been in normal health before the accident. He had a raised blood pressure, but many people suffered from that. “I do not think his symptoms were due to natural causes,” he added.
In reply to the Foreman, a relative said he understood that after the accident Mr. HAWKINS hired a car and finished his deliveries of yeast.
The widow said he had two bicycles and was always most careful about the brakes.
TWO BUMPS.
Ernest Edward HAWKER, window cleaner, of Aylands-road, Taunton, said at about 8.30 a.m. on August 6th he was working outside Taunton Motor Company's premises. He saw Mr. HAWKINS, whom he knew, cycling towards the Parade. They both said good morning and just before he reached the Motor Company he put out his hand and began to cycle across the road. He was carrying packets of yeast in the front carrier basket. When he was three quarters of the way across a 'bus passed and swerved to pass him, and apparently the back of the 'bus hit the bicycle. Witness lost sight of him for a moment. The 'bus was going at a moderate speed. There were two bumps; one against the 'bus and the other as the cycle fell in the road. The 'bus stopped by the side of the road. Witness asked Mr. HAWKINS if he was all right and he replied, “I am all right. The thunder has got me.” Mr. HAWKINS, who seemed very dazed, then waved the 'bus on. Witness advised him to go home; he saw him pushing his bicycle up the road like a drunken man.
Mr. HAWKINS added that he saw no motor-cycle on the road. He believed that the back of the 'bus hit the handlebars of the cycle.
In reply to Mr. YOUNG, witness said he had known Mr. HAWKINS for 40 years. He was riding normally before the accident.
Ronald Norman JONES, window cleaner, of 37, Belmont-road, Taunton, said just before 8.30 a.m. he was on a pair of steps cleaning a sign at Taunton Motor Company. He heard Mr. HAWKINS speak to Mr. HAWKER. There was a bump, and turning around, he saw Mr. HAWKINS lying on his bicycle.
“IT IS MY HEAD.”
Sidney MAY, of 22, Albemarle-road, Taunton, manager of Messrs. EASTMANS, East-street, said he was cutting meat and, looking up, saw Mr. HAWKINS in the road. An hour later he called at the shop in a taxi for a joint. He seemed very shaky and said, “It is my head.”
P.C. MACKAY said the road was 30 feet wide, and the alleged point of impact was 21 feet from the near-side kerb. He examined two bicycles owned by Mr. HAWKINS, but there was nothing to suggest that either had been in an accident. The brakes were in good order.
Asked by the Coroner if the police had traced the driver of the 'bus, the constable said he had interviewed the manager of the Western National Company and also the inspectors on duty. He was given the names of the three drivers who were passing at about the time of the accident, but they all denied being involved. Two Chard drivers also said they knew nothing of the accident. That morning the police received information that the 'bus driver was a member of the Western National whist team. The Company had no record of any accident being reported.
INQUEST ADJOURNED.
After a short discussion with the jury and solicitors, the Coroner said he thought the inquest should be adjourned in the hope that Press reports might help to trace the driver or any passenger in the 'bus who could give any information to the police.
The inquest was adjourned until September 13th, at 10.30 a.m.