Toddler Hurt in Bournemouth E-Scooter Crash: Dorset Police Warn Riders
A four-year-old boy was injured after colliding with an e-scooter along Bournemouth seafront during the bustling Bournemouth Air Festival. Dorset Police have launched an investigation and are urging e-scooter riders to watch out for pedestrians and obey the rules.
What Happened Along Bournemouth Seafront?
Shortly after 1pm on Friday 3 September 2021, chaos unfolded near Boscombe Pier, where the youngster from Christchurch was struck by an e-scooter. The boy was rushed to Poole Hospital with a suspected fractured collarbone.
Police soon identified the e-scooter rider as a man in his 30s from Lancashire. He is now under investigation for possible driving offences under the Road Traffic Act.
Legal E-Scooters vs. the Illegal Ones
- The scooter involved was hired via the Beryl e-scooter trial in Bournemouth and Poole.
- Beryl scooters are officially legal, government-backed, and capped at reduced speeds.
- Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on pavements, cycle lanes, promenades, parks, and other public spaces.
Police Crackdown Amid Festival Crowds
“We are yet again urging people not to ride either Beryl or privately-owned e-scooters inside the festival site because of the sheer number of people,”
– Police Sergeant Lee Savage, Traffic Unit
Dorset Police and council staff are actively stopping and fining illegal riders throughout the festival weekend. Private e-scooters will be seized, while Beryl riders will be asked to dismount. Offenders face penalties under the Road Traffic Act.
Ongoing Fight Against Illegal E-Scooter Use
This incident highlights the dangers of illegal e-scooter use. Dorset Police’s Operation Relentless targets anti-social behaviour related to these devices. This year alone, over 40 illegal riders have been warned and many scooters confiscated.
“This must have been a horrible experience for the young child involved and I wish him a speedy recovery,”
“If you’re heading to the Air Festival this weekend on a Beryl scooter, don’t use it at the event – it’s too busy.”
– Crime Commissioner David Sidwick
Stay safe and keep your e-scooter off crowded promenades. Police are watching – and they mean business.
