Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 14 June 1927

Highgate Cross-Roads Fatality

An inquest was held Thurnscoe yesterday on James Henry Bodkin (52), miner, of Houghton Road, Thurnscoe, the motor-cyclist who was killed in a collision the cross roads, Highgate, on Sunday.

Evidence was given by John Barker and John Henry Warren, Thurnscoe, miners, and eye witnesses of the accident. Bodkin was approaching the cross roads from Mexborough, where he had been to fetch newspapers, when he came into collision with motor-car driven by John Cooper, builder, of Long Sandall, Doncaster.

Bodkin apparently made an effort to avoid the car, but Cooper swung to the right. However, his near side wheel struck the front wheel of the motor-cycle, knocking Bodkin 26 feet. The car mounted the kerb, and after proceeding feet turned turtle, the four occupants having miraculous escapes from serious injury.

Evidence agreed that neither of the vehicles was going faster than 16 miles per hour, and in returning a verdict of “Accidentally killed,” the foreman of the jury (Mr. M. L. Nokes) said that in their opinion it was a case of gross neglect on both of the drivers’ parts, which the Coroner (Mr; Frank Allen) agreed.