A 12-year-old boy is hospitalized with severe head injuries after a traffic accident with his e-scooter. The child is intubated in ICU and his condition is considered as critical.
The minor was swept away by a vehicle at a crossroad at 10 o’ clock on Thursday morning in Aspropyrgos, western Attica.
Citing eyewitnesses, media reported that the boy ignored a “Stop” sign and drove through the intersection with the coming vehicle to sweep away the boy and the scooter.
According to media, the boy was driving at a speed of 25 km/h and it is fairly unclear whether he wore a helmet or had it loose.
An ambulance arrived as soon as possible and transported the injured child to a nearby hospital.
According to the president of Hospital Workers Union (POEDIN), Michalis Giannakos, the boy is fighting for his life, and has serious head injuries, fractures and chest injuries.
“I saw him lying on the road”
Speaking to media, a friend of the boy said “I came here as soon as I heard what happened. Meletis, my friend, was down, unconscious and had his head cut open. He had gone past here at full speed, without a helmet and did not look at the Stop sign and a vehicle swept him away.”
The minor then added that he saw his friend lying on the roadway unconscious and with his head open.
He usually wore a helmet, but not today, the friend added.
“The child was down and covered in blood,” another eyewitness said who claimed that the helmet was next to him, but from what some at the scene said, he was wearing it but it was loosely fastened and flew away due to collision.”
Citing police sources, state broadcaster ERT reported later that the child was wearing a helmet that was detached due to the force of the collision.
Speaking to newsit.gr, the boy’s grandmother said that she was warning that the child may be injured.
She stressed the boy’s father had made sure he had all the necessary safety equipment, but, as she said, the child didn’t always wear his helmet and protective gear.
“His father had bought him a helmet and everything he needed. Sometimes he wore it and sometimes he didn’t. Now everyone is in the hospital and I’m waiting for them to tell me how he is.”
The 27-year-old vehicle driver has not been arrested and police investigates the exact circumstances of the traffic accident.
E-scooter risks minors & parents ignore?
The accident took place as the society and the government are discussing whether the use of e-scooters should be banned from the roads for both adults and minors due to rising traffic law violations and several accidents where some had a fatal outcome.
Despite the discussion and the warnings, a 23-year-old was caught by the Police camera to move with 72 km/h on busy and fast-driving Syggroy Avenue, two days ago.
The man, an Egyptian national, had modified his e-scooter and was driving three times the speed limit which is officially permitted to be maximum 25 km/h.
He was arrested on the spot and despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet, he was reportedly fined for dangerous driving and a case against him has been was filed.
Traffic code to e-scooters
The Traffic Code in Greece is clear and strict but the problem is that the rules that are not followed
Speed limit: 25 km/h.
Age: Use only by people 15 years of age and older.
Where prohibited: Riding on sidewalks is illegal.
Equipment: Mandatory lighting, reflective elements and a strong recommendation for a helmet.
Worth noting that according to official European Union data:
- Deaths from electric scooters increased from 61 in 2021 to 92 in 2022.
- Over 80% of deaths result from collisions with heavier vehicles (cars, trucks).
