Calls for tighter regulation around e-scooters after the death of a 12-year-old boy in Birmingham
Mustafa Nadeem died on his way to school yesterday
Last updated 7th Dec 2022
The tragic death of a 12-year-old boy in Birmingham who collided with a bus whilst on an e-scooter, has sparked concerns around the safety of the scooters.
It happened in the Bordesley Green area, just before 08:00 GMT on Tuesday. He was declared dead at the scene.
West Midlands Police have now named the youngster as Mustafa Nadeem. Det Sgt Dean Caswell, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with Mustafa's family and they are being supported by our specialist officers at this awful time.
"We are continuing to speak to witnesses as part of our on-going investigations and would ask anyone who was on the bus, saw the incident, or has dashcam footage, to get in touch with us."
The boy is said to have been riding a Voi e-scooter which are available to hire in the city, as part of a Government backed trial.
To ride the scooters, you must be 18 years old and have at least a provisional driver's license, which is verified in-app by a third-party provider.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has carried out research, funded by The Road Safety Trust, to understand more about the safety and the number of casualties injured in collisions involving e-scooters.
Since 2019, PACTS is aware of a total of thirty-one deaths involving e-scooters. They have come up with a number of recommendations including making wearing a helmet mandatory.
Chief Executive of PATS David Davies said: "Sadly this 12-year-old boy is the youngest person to be killed on an e-scooter in Britain.
"He should have not been using the scooter as you need at least a provisional licence to use them, so clearly the regulation and running of the system wasn't tight enough and that is really a worry."
A Voi spokesperson said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the deceased’s family and friends. The news of this tragic accident has shocked us deeply.
“We’re liaising with West Midlands Police and providing them with all the necessary information and we will be fully supportive of their ongoing investigation. Based on the notification we received from the police, we understand that the deceased was involved in an accident on Tuesday 6th December.
“We will not provide any further comment on the details of the incident at this moment in time.”