www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
June 13, 2008 MERCURY M 19Daniel8217s gnome surprise Aircurrents
theory aftercyclist8217s deathA CYCLIST who died after col-
liding with the side ofa lorry
could have been pulled towards
it by air currents as it overtook
him, an inquest heard.Malcolm Garfield, 55, sus-
tained multiple head injuries in
the accident in Kettle Green
Road, near Hadham Cross, on
August 3 last year.
Hatfield Coroner8217s Court
heard that the lecturer and
translator, who lived in Padova,
Italy, but grew up in
Hertfordshire, died instantly.
Mr Garfield had been cycling
towards Barwick Ford at around
2.23pm when he went past a com-
bine harvester which was cut-
ting crops in a field.
The court heard the machine
was trailing a cloud of8216chaff8217
which the cyclist had to travel
through.
Anthony Travers, who had
picked up rape seed in his lorry
from Brand8217s Farm, near
Hadham Cross, overtook the
cyclist on the other side ofthe
road. He told the inquest he saw
Mr Garfield wobble and move
into the side ofthe lorry, before
falling offhis bike.
Mr Travers said: 8220As I over-
took him I looked in my mirror,
then he wobbled and instanta-
neously veered across and collid-
ed with the trailer axle.
8220When I went to the back of
the vehicle I thought I would find
him picking himselfup with
some cuts and bruises, but he
wasn8217t.
8220I was not close enough to him
in any way to cause him
trouble.8221
The experienced cyclist was
wearing sunglasses and a protec-
tive helmet, but may not have
been aware the lorry was over-
taking him because ofthe noise
from the combine harvester.
Police accident investigators
discovered a mark on the near-
side ofthe lorry, which they
believe was caused by Mr
Garfield touching the vehicle.
They also suggested the
hedgerow on one side ofthe road
and the lorry could have created
a tunnel effect which could have
caused him difficulties.
Hertfordshire coroner Edward
Thomas said: 8220I was really
struck by the tunnel aspect with
relation to the hedges on the road
and that may have caused him
some difficulty.
8220It may be that with the com-
bine harvester he may not have
been aware ofthe lorry because
ofthe noise.
8220Ifhis first understanding of
the lorry was actually as it was
passing him it would have been a
surprise.8221
Mr Garfield8217s widow Renata
Cancian travelled from Italy for
the inquest.
Verdict: Accidental death.By WIL LONGBOTTOM
CHIEF REPORTERlongbottomw@hertsessexnews.co.uk GNOME VISITORS: Daniel Carter with some of the 23 new visitors to his home in
Broadmeads, Ware Photo: HWKWQ7FR-05A WARE salesman got a
surprise when 23 gnomes
turned up at his home to
help him celebrate his
birthday.
Daniel Carter, 42, who
lives in Broadmeads,
returned home on Sunday
to discover assorted
bearded statues in the
courtyard of his flat.
He believes their
mysterious
appearance is
the work of a
prankster, but
says the culprit is
not letting on.
Daniel said:
8220When I got
home I saw a
silver sign out of
the window so I
went down to
have a look.
8220It said 8216gnome
home8217 and I
looked down and
there was a row
of them arranged
in a line.
8220I believe I know
who did it, but
they won8217t admit
it.8221
It was Daniel8217s
birthday last
Monday and he
believes his new
friends, which
include one
figure dropping
his trousers, are
a present.
He said: 8220It8217s
gno-me joke,
there are in a line
and there are
some in flower
pots.
8220I couldn8217t
believe my eyes
and when I told
the neighbours
they just
laughed.
8220I don8217t feel I can
get rid of them,
but I don8217t know
where I8217ll keep
them.8221STS Stapleton8217s Tyre & Exhaust CentreUnit 4, Windsor Industrial Estate, 424 Ware Road,
HERTFORDTel:01992 504199OPENINGTIMES:
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Saturdays 8am-5pm. www.ststyreandexhaust.co.ukSG13 7EWTYRESTHE BEST RANGEAT
THE BEST PRICESLargest choice of all major brands 8211
budget to premium7 day price guaranteeFree safety inspectionCompetitive pricingFree 30 day tyre warranty25%OFF ALLPLUSTYRESTerms and conditions apply. Retail sales only. Only while stocks last. Offer ends 30/6/08.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16Page 17Page 18Page 19Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 23Page 24Page 25Page 26Page 27Page 28Page 29Page 30Page 31Page 32Page 33Page 34Page 35Page 36Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 40Page 41Page 42Page 43Page 44Page 45Page 46Page 47Page 48Page 49Page 50Page 51Page 52Page 53Page 54Page 55Page 56Page 57Page 58Page 59Page 60Page 61Page 62Page 63Page 64Page 65Page 66Page 67Page 68Page 69Page 70Page 71Page 72Page 73Page 74Page 75Page 76Page 77Page 78Page 79Page 80 Produced by PageSuite