Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 03 October 1928

Still a Mystery

Motor-Cyclist Who Remembered Nothing.

When invited to give evidence at an inquest Barnsley, yesterday, on William Stanley Moore (52), a colliery surface worker, of Church Street, Thurnscoe, Allan Brewis (24), of Coronation Street, Darfield, said: Everything is a complete blank to me.”

The two men were found lying unconscious— Brewis beside a damaged motor-cycle—on the road near Great Houghton, about six weeks ago. The inquest had been adjourned because Brewis had been detained in hospital with serious injuries.

The cause of the accident, after the Coroner (Mr. C. J. Howarth) had heard the evidence yesterday, still remained a mystery. It. was suggested, however, that the motor-cyclist ran into Moore, who was riding bicycle, and probably struck him in the back.

Yesterday Albert Roberts, a joiner, of New Colliery Village, Great Houghton, replying to Mr. A. S. Furniss, who represented deceased’s relatives, said he saw nothing on the road to account for the collision. The surface of the road was good, and had been recently tarsprayed.

Police-constable Thompson said there was nothing to cause the motor-cycle to skid when the driver applied his brakes. The brakes were in good condition.

Brewis was asked if was willing to give evidence, and replied: I don’t remember anything about it.”

Allan Hall, a friend of Brewis, said: I don’t think he is in state to give evidence. I have questioned him several times about the accident but he knows nothing about it.

Doctor’s Advice Sought.

At the suggestion of the Coroner, Mr. Furniss and the Coroner’s Officer had a telephone communication with Dr. Erdheim and on returning to court, Mr. Furniss stated; The doctor says there is no reason why Brewis should not give evidence. He thinks he is fit to give evidence.

Brewis: I do not remember anything.

The Coroner: Had not you better say so on oath ?

Brewis did not reply and the Coroner observed : You are not legally represented and I cannot advise you.

Mr. Furniss: Probably the best thing is to advise him not to give evidence.

Summing up, the Coroner said the presumption was that the motor-cyclist ran into Moore from behind. He added; “Nobody saw what occurred. This case has been adjourned six weeks in consequence of the serious state of Brewis, who undoubtedly received serious injuries and is lucky to be about again. The case is unsatisfactory in the sense that, not a single person saw what happened.”

The foreman said the jury did not consider there was sufficient evidence to prove that there was any culpable negligence. The Verdict was Death through misadventure.