Zeke Hondow revealed as 8yo victim of fatal e-bike crash
As authorities grapple with increasing e-bike safety concerns, the identity of the young boy tragically killed in a bike path collision has been revealed.
The young boy killed in a e-bikes crash tragedy has been identified as the state’s Attorney-General Deb Frecklington warned his death should not be politicised.
The eight-year-old Mountain Creek boy, Zeke Hondow, died after colliding head-on with another older e-bike rider, who is assisting police with their investigations.
Zeke was riding on the bike path near Kawana Way and Sunshine Mwy in Mountain Creek when he collided with a 15-year-old boy riding another e-bike at 3.36pm.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the eight-year-old was rushed to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition with “significant head injuries”.
Tragically, he was declared dead on Thursday afternoon.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the older boy refused medical treatment.
A fundraiser to help the family of “little Zeke” was created on Friday, with a goal of $10,000.
According to the fundraiser, Zeke was riding home from school on Thursday when the “tragic accident” took place.
A woman on social media also asked people to donate, saying her cousin’s son had grown “his angel wings” and the family needed help.
“Help the family get through one of the toughest times of their lives,” she said.
During a press conference on Friday, Sunshine Coast Police Chief inspector Jason Overland said it was understood both boys were wearing helmets.
“All of that detail will be covered in the forensic crash investigation,” he said.
Chief Inspector Overland said he would not comment on the background of the boys involved in the crash.
He also would not confirm whether they were students from local schools.
“The 15-year-old is in custody, assisting us with our inquiries at this point,” the police officer said.
Speaking generally, Chief Inspector Overland said most police stations across the state were dealing with issues involving high-powered e-bikes.
Earlier, police would not say whether the e-bikes were legal or not.
The younger boy was on a small e-bike and both of them were seized.
It was the the first of two fatal crashes involving an e-bike in just days, with a second teen killed on the Gold Coast in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington fended off questions about whether action should be taken before the parliamentary inquiry into e-bikes is completed.
Ms Frecklington said the inquiry was underway with a report to be handed down in March.
Asked if tougher e-bike laws were needed sooner after the second e-bike fatality in South East Queensland in a month, she said she was working with Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg “to ensure we can do everything possible to toughen up the laws in this state”.
“That is exactly why there is a parliamentary inquiry into e-bikes in this state,” she said.
“Right now my heart goes out to that family – this is an absolute tragedy. This is a day for those families and this is a matter I would hate to see politicised.”
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating, and is asking for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has relevant footage, to come forward.
There is no age limit for riding an e-bike in Queensland, according to the official guidelines from the state government.
E-bikes are being marketed online to children as young as three.
Artificial intelligence queries give a result that you have to be 16 or older to ride an e-bike in Queensland solo, while under 12s are banned, which is not the case.
A parent from a Mountain Creek school said on Friday morning the prevalence of e-bikes ridden by young schoolchildren was “disgusting”.
“They are just hurtling around on the streets, like on the pavement, on the roads, a few months ago to one of the crossing ladies nearly got run over by one,” she said.
“They shouldn’t be given to children at a young age.
“They don’t know responsibility.”
An education department spokesman said the “deepest thoughts and sincere sympathies” were with the family, friends and school community affected by this “tragic” event.
“Support has been arranged immediately for students and staff, with guidance counsellors available to provide support in any way they can and for as long as it is needed,” the spokesman said.
“All Queensland state schools place the highest priority on the safety of all students, staff and members of their communities.”
The tragedy comes less than a fortnight after police revealed they were cracking down on reckless e-bike use, confiscating three teens’ illegal e-bikes under an operation “to strengthen road safety in the wider Maroochydore area”.
Read more on e-bike safety rules here
In a separate incident, a teenage boy was taken to hospital after a bike crash on Paringa St, Wurtulla.
The teen reportedly suffered back and neck injuries.
A paramedic spokeswoman said he was “not in good condition”.
Paramedics responded at 3.38pm.
