5 days ago
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.'
