Police release graphic crash photos warning others to stop riding privately owned e-scooters
Police officers in Plympton have warned of the dangers e-scooters bring by releasing graphic images after a rider was rushed to hospital with injuries that were first feared to be life-threatening.
On Friday 23 July an e-scooter rider sustained potentially life-changing head injuries after coming off the vehicle in Market Road, Plympton.
Officers from Plympton have now shown pictures from the scene of the incident showing puddles of blood on the road. The purpose of the images was to remind people that it is illegal to use a privately owned electric scooter in a public place in the UK.
A Plympton Police spokesperson said via social media: “These photos relate to an incident that occurred in Plympton on Friday in which a local resident was seriously injured having come off the E scooter he was riding.
“As you can see in the photos the male lost a lot of blood having sustained a nasty head injury. Called to attend the male were police, ambulance and the air ambulance.
“The male was rushed to hospital with injuries that were considered to be life changing or life threatening at the time. The road was then closed for some time to allow Police and a Scenes of Crime Officer to conduct a detailed analysis of the scene, take statements from witnesses and conduct CCTV enquiries in order to ascertain exactly what happened. All this work was necessary just in case the male died, in which case the incident would then have to be referred to the coroner.
“Thankfully the male survived, but I am sure that his injuries will be with him for some time.
“We would like to remind everyone that IT IS CURRENTLY ILLEGAL TO RIDE A PRIVATELY OWNED ELECTRIC SCOOTER IN A PUBLIC PLACE IN THE UK.
“This is because scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles, so they are treated as motor vehicles. So, if they are used on a road, pavement or a public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle.
“The penalties are the same as they are for "motor vehicles": No insurance; 6 points, £300 fine and the scooter seized. No Licence; penalty points, a fine and seizure of the scooter please, don't waste your money purchasing an E Scooter for yourself or anyone else. Working to keep you safe.”
