South Yorkshire Times February 14, 1948

Crashed into Lorry
Kilnhurst Cyclists Fatally Injured

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned by the jury at an inquest at Rotherham on Tuesday on James License (50), miner, of 10, Hooton, road, Kilnhurst, who died at Rotherham Hospital on Friday last shortly after receiving injuries when riding a pedal cycle and coming into collision with a motor lorry at Carr Lane, Hooton Roberts. The jury exonerated the lorry driver.

Noise and Shout

Herbert Tyas, motor driver of 74, Chaucer Road, Mexborough said he was driving a two-ton lorry along Kilnhurst Lane in the direction of Hooton Roberts. When he was some 300 yards from the, junction of Kilnhurst Lane and Carr Lane, he passed a pedal cyclist travelling in the same direction, When he approached, the junction he slowed down to about 10 miles per hour to turn into Carr Lane and noticed another vehicle approaching. As the lane was narrow he slowed down still further to allow the other vehicle to pass. There was about two feet clearance between the two vehicles. As he passed the other lorry he heard a noise and the other driver shouted to him. He saw License and his cycle on the road,

In answer to the foreman of the jury, Tyas said that it was a very windy day and the wind would have been in the cyclist’s face.

The lorry driver, William Salter, of 1, West Street, Masborough, said he was driving at about 20 m.p.h.    As he passed the other lorry a cyclist came from behind it and endeavoured to pass between them. He appeared to be trying to overtake the other lorry and to , strike the front end of the body of his lorry behind the cab.

Dr. G. Maschanzker of Rotherham Hospital, said that License was unconscious when admitted.

He had a fractured base of the skull, a compound fracture’ of the of the skull, laceration of thebrain and compound fracture to the right leg. He died as a result of these injuries and shock.