'If she hadn’t been on the e-scooter this never would have happened'

“There needs to be newer laws to prevent this from happening again. What we’ve been through is awful. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Joel Erickson

3 min read

September 3, 2024 - 10:43AM

Rideshare e-scooters banned in Melbourne

Family Life

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Ruby-Storm Sarahmay Kayrooz had just received a new e-scooter from her grandma for getting good grades at school.

It would be less than a week before the 12-year-old from the Sunshine Coast would be fighting for life in hospital after a crash in Maroochydore.

Ruby was riding her scooter to school on August 21 when she was struck by a car driven by a 21-year-old woman.

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The Courier Mail reports she suffered two collapsed lungs and possible brain damage after being pinned under the car, and while she managed to escape without any broken bones, she can’t remember anything from that week.

Ruby-Storm Sarahmay Kayrooz was left in an induced coma after an e-scooter crash on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Courier Mail

"They're not safe"

Ruby’s mum Rebecca Cronan now says letting her daughter ride an e-scooter to school was the “worst mistake of her life”.

“I wish she’d never gotten the e-scooter,” she told The Courier Mail.

“Kids shouldn’t be allowed to ride them unsupervised ever. Let alone to and from school.

“They’re not safe. They’re incredibly dangerous.

“There needs to be newer laws to prevent this from happening again.

“What we’ve been through is awful. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

Ruby had received her e scooter as a gift just three days before the crash. Picture: Courier Mail

"The first thing she did was ask if she was dead"

Ruby remains in hospital after waking from a coma last week, and she continues her miraculous recovery.

“She’s still in and out of consciousness and we don’t know about the possibility of brain damage yet,” Rebecca said.

“The first thing she said was ask if she was dead. She didn’t know where she was.

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“She was excited to see me and her dad but still doesn’t really remember what happened. She’s not really with it and is more whispering than talking. She can’t have a proper conversation.

“She’s also struggling with her eyesight saying it’s a bit blurry but she’s coming off heavy pain medication.”

Ruby was left with two collapsed lungs and potential brain damage. Picture: Courier Mail

"She doesn't remember the crash"

Despite this, she has no recollection of anything from the week of the crash, including the two days prior.

“The last thing she remembers is going with her sister to buy the e-scooter on the Sunday,” her mother said.

“Her grandmother bought it for her as a reward for her getting good grades at school.

“She doesn’t remember riding it to and from school Monday and Tuesday or those days at all.

“She doesn’t remember the crash.”

Despite her fight for life, Ruby is well on her way to making a miraculous recovery. Picture: Courier Mail

"Her memory isn't good"

Rebecca told The Courier Mail she was still unsure how much longer Ruby would be in hospital for.

“We still don’t know if she has brain damage or a head injury or what,” she said.

“They’re doing tests but she’s not passing them. Her memory isn’t good.

“She's been struggling to retain any information since the crash too.”

"None of my children will be allowed on one again"

Rebecca said she was “relieved” to still have her daughter, but said she would always regret letting her ride an e-scooter.

“I regret it and will never do it again,” she said.

“The e-scooter wasn’t destroyed and is in perfect working condition but I’m not even going to sell it. I don’t want anyone else on it risking their life.

“Ruby won’t be allowed on an e-scooter ever again. None of my children will be.

“It’s been horrible. If she hadn’t been on the e-scooter this never would have happened.”