Fractured skull, brain bleed: Mum’s desperate plea after near-fatal e-scooter crash

The mother of a Queensland boy who almost died when he fell from his scooter while not wearing his helmet is pleading for police to enforce harsher penalties.

Corey was not wearing a helmet when he was involved in a e-scooter crash. Picture: Supplied.

The mother of a Queensland boy who almost died when he fell from his scooter while not wearing his helmet pleads for Police to enforce harsher penalties on riders.

Corey, 15-years-old, is recovering in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after falling from his e-scooter and into a pole and was not wearing a helmet while travelling along Buchanan Rd on Tuesday.

This comes as Hospitalisations for e-scooter-related injuries reached a record high in 2023, surpassing that of cyclists for the first time with more than 100 people a month ending up in emergency departments.

Mr Williams sustained life-threatening injuries, a fractured skull, bleeding and air on the brain with many abrasions to one side his face and down his neck and limbs.

Corey’s mother, Kellie Williams said Cory was on the way to meet a friend when he went flying from his scooter.

“He caught some speed but with no brakes apparently he used his foot to slow himself hit the grass and went sideways. This has then thrown him off into a pole. Hitting his head then sliding along the footpath,” Ms Williams said.

15-year-old Corey was on his way to visit a friend when he was involved in a e-scooter crash. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Williams said her son was unconscious and alone when three bystanders rushed to his aid.

“Calling an ambulance, another woman stopping and providing him first aid. Then another two people accessed his phone via Siri to call his father. I am forever grateful to these people,” Ms Williams said.

Emergency services arrived at Buchanan Rd and Northerly Ave in Morayfield at around 2.30pm.

Ms Williams said while she has lectured Corey on many occasions to wear his helmet while operating his scooter, she believes speed limiters and tougher penalties need to be in place for riders not wearing a helmet.

“I believe these scooters need limiters and disables if the helmet is not connected or banned as no one follows the rules. Children just don’t see the seriousness of these toys,” Ms Williams said.

In Queensland riders can be find $143 for not wearing a helmet but Ms Williams said this is not enough.

“There is no danger awareness like ads unlike when I grew up. Police should have the right to enforce stronger rules and penalties to deter children from riding on the roads or not wearing a helmet,” she said.

Corey is in hospital recovering but Ms Williams said she is still trying to piece together what had happened to her son.

In Australia, when riding a mobility device, you must wear an Australian Standard (AS) approved bicycle helmet or an approved motorbike helmet.

This comes as a 12-year-old Sunshine Coast girl was struck by a P-plater while riding her e-scooter on a footpath to school in Maroochydore.

Ruby-Storm Sarahmay Kayrooz was rushed to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after suffering two collapsed lungs, possible brain damage early Wednesday, August 21.

Ruby’s mother, Rebecca Cronan, 46, of Bli Bli, said it was a miracle she survived.