E-scooter crashes sent more than 180 people to St Vincent’s Hospital in six months

E-scooter crashes sent more than 180 people to a city hospital in the past six months, including a “significant” amount of drunk or drug-affected drivers.

A woman crosses into Bourke Street in the CBD on a scooter without wearing a helmet. Picture: Ian Currie

E-scooter crashes sent more than 180 people to a city hospital in the last six months, including a “significant” proportion of drunk or drug-affected drivers.

St Vincent’s Hospital emergency department data shows victims were most likely to arrive in the early hours of Saturday – between midnight and 3am – or early Sunday evening, and the most common injury was an open head wound.

The hospital’s top emergency doctor estimated one in five patients hadn’t worn a helmet, and the data – from October to the first week of April – shows many of the 180-plus patients were seriously injured.

Another e-scooter rider not wearing a helmet. Picture: Ian Currie

Almost three quarters were triaged in the top three categories (resuscitation, emergency or urgent) and a third had to be admitted onto a ward, often after surgery.

Following head injuries, a broken arm and fractured hand or finger were the most common injury, but many patients suffered multiple injuries across their whole body.

St Vincent’s emergency director Dr Jonathan Karro said the injuries of people who were substance affected, helmetless or riding two abreast were often more severe.

“Unfortunately there’s a definite, significant percentage who are alcohol or drug affected,” he said.

“They’re less likely to be wearing a helmet, they’re more likely to be travelling at speed.”

He said e-scooter patients had “steadily” increased since the trial across Melbourne’s inner-city – recently extended for another six months – began in February 2022.

“The fact that 70 per cent are triage category 1, 2, 3 means these are quite high acuity patients, they need early assessment … and they often have quite significant injuries,” he said.

Head injuries if someone falls without a helmet can be serious. Picture: Tony Gough

He said these can include skull fractures “or something that actually needs to go to an operating theatre and have a plastic surgeon repair”.

“We are seeing a lot of head and facial injuries and some of these have significant cosmetic effects on the person … a large wound or scratch, broken teeth.”

He said these cosmetic impacts could be “life-changing” and he knew one Melbourne hospital had treated patients with spinal cord and acquired brain injuries.

“I’m aware of at least three deaths [across Australia],” he said.

“The second highest category are upper limb injuries … fractures of the forearm or shoulder.

“Many of these have people off work for several injuries, these are painful injuries.”

Experts have warned riders to wear helmets and not share scooters. Picture: Tony Gough

The worst months were March (32 patients) and October (33), which was the third busiest month (tied with June 2022) since the trial began more than two years ago.

The data also showed men were over-represented, responsible for two-thirds of patients.

Dr Karro said this was a common trend in trauma, with men typically more likely to engage in risky behaviour.

He urged everyone – men and women – to be sober and safe: wearing a helmet and sticking to one person per scooter.