Latest news with #AustralianMedicalAssociationWA
West Australian
18 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
City of Perth suspends e-scooters after a pedestrian was struck down and killed by a allegedly drunk rider
The City of Perth has suspended the hire of e-scooters after a pedestrian was knocked down and killed by an alleged drunk rider on Saturday night. Thanh Phan, 51, died from a brain bleed on Tuesday after he was struck from behind by an e-scooter at the intersection of Murray and King St about 8.40pm last Saturday. British backpacker Alicia Kemp, 24, was taken into custody at the scene. Police allege she was under the influence of alcohol with a 26-year-old passenger, before she hit Mr Phan. Her charges were upgraded to dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning death after Mr Phan died. He is the first pedestrian to die in WA from an e-scooter incident. Following the tragic incident, the City of Perth suspended the hire of e-scooters from midday on Thursday. Deputy Lord Mayor Brian Reynolds told the ABC it was 'appropriate' for the council to suspend e-scooter rentals in response to the 'horrible' incident. 'This is a tragedy on all levels … our thoughts are with the family and other extended family and friends,' he said. 'Information is coming to hand in every moment but, in our first instance, our responsibility is to act responsible in a respectful manner.' Mr Reynolds said the City would make a final decision once they had collected all the information they could and looked at the data around the events that led to the tragedy. WA Premier Roger Cook also told ABC Perth it was an appropriate response from the City and while e-scooters were a great way to move around and enjoy communities, there had to be regulations in place. 'We know that e-scooters are a regular feature of major cities right around the world and a way that people move around the cities,' he said. 'We have to make sure that it's safe and I think the council is moving in an absolutely appropriate way.' According to the Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page, at least one person with major injuries caused from e-scooters presented to the Royal Perth Hospital's trauma unit each day. He told ABC Radio there was enough evidence for councils to act and seriously consider similar e-scooter bans. 'It's serious issue, we've been warning about it for years,' he said. 'There is ample evidence for city councils to act on this and to act on it in a more definitive way.' On Tuesday, Mr Phan's family and friends issued a statement calling for more governance and regulations around hired e-scooters to prevent further serious incidents and lives risked. 'We received the heartbreaking news that Thanh passed away as a result of his injuries,' the statement read. 'On Saturday night, Thanh Phan – a beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend – was struck by an electric scooter and critically injured. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk.'
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti says she will not overrule commission to stop bare knuckle boxing event
One Australian state government has been told it will have blood on its hands if someone dies during a bare knuckle fight event set to be held within weeks. Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is planning to make its debut in Australia in Perth next month, prompting an outcry from some sectors including health advocates. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: WA minister says she won't step in to stop bare knuckle boxing event. On Monday WA 's Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said she could intervene to stop it but will not do so if the state's Combat Sports Commission gives it the tick of approval. 'I understand combat sports is not everyone's cup of tea,' she said. 'There's a lot of people in the community who don't enjoy or want to watch or be involved. 'But the same issues were raised in relation to mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.' She added: 'I can't stop things just because I don't like them. That's why we have a Combat Sports Commission, to provide advice.' American bare knuckle brawler Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after he hit the canvas during a fight in 2021. The 38-year-old was knocked out in the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi, with the heavy fall leaving him partially paralysed. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision,' Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7NEWS. The commission says the fights will only go ahead if organisers meet strict conditions. Its chairman Bob Kucera says they have taken the advice of US doctors. But Page argued 'they're taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' Page said. BKFC organisers are advertising the event for July 19, pending final approval. On its website, BKFC says 'only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai will be allowed to compete'. 'The referees and judges will also be required to have extensive professional combat sports experience,' the promotion says. 'Unlike other fighting organisations and combat sports internationally which claim to be 'bare knuckle', but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. 'This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. 'BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest level bare knuckle fighting organisation in the world, it's also leading the way for a new fully recognised professional combat sport.'
