Rosebud collision leaves 80-year-old man dead
People living and working near the site of a fatal motorised scooter crash in Rosebud say they’re saddened but not surprised by the death of an 80-year-old man. It comes amid reports of others weaving in and out of parked cars to cross a busy road.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Locals near the site of a fatal crash in which an 80-year-old man on a mobility scooter died say they’ve been calling for safety upgrades on the busy arterial for years.
And nearby resident David Burns, who has been riding a mobility scooter for seven years, said he had to regularly ride along and cross over Boneo Rd to get to Rosebud Plaza.
Mr Burns said mobility scooters were common in Rosebud.
“I drive on the wrong side of the road so the oncoming traffic can see me coming,” he said.
Mr Burns said today’s accident was a “terrible tragedy”.
“My scooter, like most of them, doesn’t have brakes. If you want to slow down and you misjudge the distance you can throw it into reverse to stop.”
It is understood the collision happened about 10.15am Monday on Boneo Rd near Grenfell Way.
“The male rider of the mobility scooter was treated at the scene but could not be revived,” Senior Constable Alistair Parsons said.
“The driver and sole occupant of the car was uninjured and stopped to assist at the scene.”
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives attended the scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Staff at the nearby Blue Mini cafe said they were saddened but not surprised by the death.
“It’s terrible that it has happened, but we have all been saying that we need traffic lights at that (Colchester Rd, Boneo Rd) intersection,” said Jasmine Dinsdale.
Ms Dinsdale said she was often too scared to turn right from Colchester Rd into Boneo Rd.
“You really are taking your life into your own hands.”
A woman living just a few hundred metres from the crash scene said she heard the sirens from emergency services earlier in the day, but didn’t realise the crash had been fatal.
“It’s such sad news,” she said.
Amber who did not want to reveal her last name, said she often saw people riding mobility scooters along busy Boneo Rd.
“I came across one the other day,” she said.
“It was on the road, weaving in and out of the parked cars.
“I’ve only just got my Ps and it gave me a shock to see a scooter on the road. I wasn’t expecting it.”
MORE NEWS:
WHY THIS JOY RIDE SPARKED AN UNUSUAL PUBLIC RESPONSE
FOUR FISHERMEN FACE ILLEGAL HAUL CHARGES
MELBOURNE’S SHOCKING HOARDING EPIDEMIC REVEALED
Paramedics confirmed they attended the scene but were unable to revive the man.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or with further information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.