12-year-old e-scooter rider in critical condition after being hit by car on Sunshine Coast footpath
Paramedics have praised passers-by who pulled a seriously injured 12-year-old e-scooter rider from under a car on the Sunshine Coast.
The girl was wearing a helmet and was riding on the footpath along Main Road in Maroochydore shortly before 8am.
According to the police report, a car came out of a driveway and hit the girl, trapping her underneath it.
She was admitted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in critical condition with life-threatening chest injuries.
Emergency services at the scene of an accident on Main Road, Maroochydore. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
Queensland Ambulance Service clinical director Tony Hucker praised witnesses for responding “very quickly” and possibly saving the girl’s life by pulling her out from under the car.
“The bystanders gathered really quickly,” he said.
“The risk of being trapped under the car is that pressure is placed on the chest and this can hinder breathing.”
“Our teams were able to begin resuscitation on site. She had some crush injuries to her chest area.
“She was alive upon arrival at the hospital, still seriously injured, but certainly in a far better condition than we found her.”
Tony Hucker, clinical director of Queensland Ambulance Service, said bystanders helped save the girl’s life. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Owen Jacques)
The driver, a 21-year-old woman from Maroochydore, is assisting police with their investigation.
Mr Hucker said the driver was not physically injured.
“It is a devastating experience for the driver and the emotional stress and trauma that comes with this experience can be terrible,” he said.
“We always make sure that we take care of these people as well, and she received excellent care locally.”
The accident occurred near the Hilltop Crescent intersection in a residential area near two schools.
Police have designated the scene as a crime scene and Assistant Inspector Michael Langsdorf said the road will remain closed while the Forensic Crash Unit investigates.
“These tragedies always remind us how precious life is and how quickly circumstances can change, especially when you are on the move,” he said.
“Whether you are driving a vehicle or walking on a sidewalk where someone is riding a bicycle or scooter, we all need to work together to keep everyone safe.”
Witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage are asked to contact the police.
Increasingly frequent accidents
The accident occurred a day after the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service reported that 118 e-scooter riders were treated in its emergency department last year.
More than half of the patients treated were children and three quarters of all patients were male.
About 60 percent of the injuries were classified as serious, with patients suffering at least one broken bone.
Mr Tucker said the numbers had doubled since 2021 due to the rising popularity of e-scooters.
“The pattern of injuries is becoming more and more common,” he said.
“We see a lot of broken bones, a lot of sprains… but occasionally we have seen devastating injuries like the ones we saw today.”
“If you fall off an e-scooter and hit your head on the road or concrete, it can cause devastating injuries and even be fatal.
“This device allows you to ride at high speeds on the road or sidewalk. This can be dangerous.”
Mr Hucker said there was a higher accident and injury rate among e-scooter riders compared to cyclists.
“Families who purchase e-scooters for their children should make sure they take all necessary safety precautions when using these e-scooters,” he said.
