Melbourne man dies in horrific e-scooter tragedy
A man has died in an e-scooter crash in Melbourne’s southeast.
The rider was operating an e-scooter when it collided with a Volkswagen station wagon on Princes Highway at Narre Warren on Thursday about 5.15pm, police said.
The rider is yet to be formally identified but Nine News reported he was aged in his teens or early 20s. He died at the scene.
Police said the driver of the Volkswagen was not injured and stayed to assist.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives also attended the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Fatality comes amid e-scooter trial
The fatality comes just days after Victoria Police reported 38 e-scooter related offences over the past weekend. The state is currently undertaking “controlled” e-scooter trials across Victoria.
“The trial will allow people to hire e-scooters and ride them on bicycle lanes, shared paths and lower speed roads (up to 50km/h) within the participating local government areas,” a statement on VicRoads’ website reads.
“E-scooters will be geofenced by each commercial operator and are not to be ridden on footpaths as part of the trial. Only e-scooters supplied by approved operators are permitted for use.”
The trial allows the scooters to be ridden on bicycle lanes, shared paths and lower speed roads up to 50km/h in participating LGAs.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir at a press conference on Monday urged people to use the scooters “sensibly”.
Of the 40-odd offences, most of them were for riding on the footpath, running a red light or using the e-scooters while intoxicated.
Asst Comm Weir warned riders had to wear helmets and would be breath tested.
“We just ask people to use common sense,” he told reporters.
He added Victoria Police are committed to supporting the trial as long as it’s “done safely”.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have dashcam footage, is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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