A grieving family has urged e-scooter riders to wear helmets - after their much-loved son died in a crash with a lamppost. Scott Wilson, 29, suffered fatal head injuries when he was knocked from his scooter after he went for a ride without any protective equipment.
He was then placed in an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery. But sadly, he died on April 29 this year – just a week after his birthday. His family said Scott had survived an “arduous battle” with childhood cancer, adding that his sudden death had left them “absolutely devastated.”
They are now calling on e-scooter riders to take “all necessary safety precautions” or risk the same “anguish and loss” that they are now facing. They said: “Scott’s death in such sudden and unnecessary circumstances has left us absolutely devastated.
“He had only just celebrated his birthday on April 20. He passed away on Friday, April 29, at Leeds General Infirmary and was surrounded by his parents and siblings and those that he loved.
“Scott was an energetic, genuine and inventive young man who deserved to live a long and happy life. He had an arduous battle with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after being diagnosed at the age of 14 but had been in remission since the age of 18.
“He also underwent two hip replacement surgeries and a shoulder replacement as a result of the medicines used to treat his cancer. He was a loved son, uncle, brother, cousin and nephew to a large and diverse family who truly loved him unconditionally.
“Scott's passing has been extremely difficult for all of our family to process due to how sudden it was. The funeral arrangements are still being made and we will ensure we inform every one of the date and location when confirmed.
“We would also like to pass on our deepest appreciation to the medical professionals who took care of Scott at the scene of the accident and in hospital. Scott died as a result of serious head injuries and he may have been more likely to survive had he been wearing a helmet.
“We would urge anyone who uses an electric scooter to take all necessary safety precautions, including wearing a helmet, to help avoid their family experiencing the same anguish and loss that we are now feeling as a result of Scott’s death.”
Most e-scooters have a top speed of around 25mph, but the supposedly “safe” machines can be tuned up to go in excess of 40mph. There isn’t a specific law covering e-scooter usage, which means the government simply recognises them as “powered transporters”.
And despite sales of e-scooter topping one million in February, they cannot be used legally on British roads without proper registration, insurance and a driving license. Detective Sergeant Paul Lightowler, of the Major Collision Enquiry Team, explained: “An e-scooter is a mechanically propelled vehicle as it has electric power.
“When used on a road, the correct driving licence is required, third-party insurance is required and it will also need to be registered and licenced. Legislation relating to e-scooters which have been hired under a trial scheme differs, but there aren’t any of the schemes currently operating in West Yorkshire.
“Offences of driving without due care, dangerous driving and any drink or drug driving offences apply to an e-scooter exactly the same as they would to a car.”
