Quote:
Grandmother dies after being knocked down by hit-and-run mobility scooter
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:56 AM on 22nd August 2008
Comments (23) Add to My Stories
Mobility scooter: The grandmother was knocked down by a scooter (File photo)
A pensioner died after she was knocked over by a mobility scooter.
The 84-year-old grandmother was crossing a road in Sunderland when she was hit.
Although the woman riding the electric-powered buggy said she was going to call for an ambulance, it is thought she left the scene and never came back.
The injured pensioner, who broke her hip, was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for surgery and stayed there for 12 weeks.
She died on August 6.
The hospital reported her death to the coroner, as staff were concerned it was linked to the crash.
Northumbria Police investigated the accident, which happened in the afternoon of May 14.
But the scooter rider did not show up on nearby CCTV footage 
As electric-powered buggies are not classed as motor vehicles under road traffic legislation, the rider could not be prosecuted for a motoring offence.
But .. folk have been disqualified from driving for offences committed whilst riding a lawn mowing tractor which ist pretty similar to these mobilitity scooters in size .. structure und overall power.
But that in Germany und Switzerland where the laws are different. They also prosecute cyclists who cause accidents und injury there ..
Quote:
But she could face prosecution on charges such as assault or even manslaughter.
The Highway Code says mobility scooters should not be driven on pavements at more than 4mph or faster than 8mph on roads.
The coroner said: 'We are appealing for witnesses.
She was probably at 8 mph. A cyclist has killed at 25 mph on the pavement. So .. if the mobility scooter und the electically powered LIGHT FOLDING WHEEL CHAIR are subject to this.. then bicycles should not be ridden at speeds over 8 mph on pavements either if the cyclist insist to be a "pedestrian on wheels" und not "traffic" when it suit them
Anything on wheels or on four legs on a pavement can endanger the most vulnerable of all.. the person on two legs .. or two legs und a walking stick..
Quote:
'There will be a full inquest and at this stage we do not know what happened.
'The incident was investigated initially by the police who could not find any witnesses or the scooter rider.
'After the lady's death we were contacted by the hospital and, as there is to be an inquest, we are trying to find out what happened.
'If any new information comes to light, the investigation may be passed back to the police.'
Without any independent witnesses or video evidence.. it would be impossible to convict the scooter rider of causing the death .. und they would have to prove that the death was directly caused by the broken hip und resultant shock. This also difficult since complications when treating such elderly patients include development of pneumonia which set in, with the shock, when they become bed-ridden in hospitals.
However, there should be some test or code of practice for these who use the scooters. Too often they are more arrogant on the pavements und in the supermarket aisles than other road users.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Members
Another item from the Daily Wail
The injuries lacerated to the bone. This will be an SI recording. 