WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES – Carter Ralph was hit by an e-bike while playing outside his home in Loughborough, Leicestershire, on October 30. The driver fled the scene after the crash
A 10-year-old boy was left with his “nose hanging off” after being hit by an e-bike on the pavement near his home, his mum has said.
Carter Ralph was playing on a children’s scooter outside his house in Loughborough, Leicestershire, when the hit-and-run incident happened on October 30. His mum Nadine Ralph, 39, said a “tall man” who was apparently riding a Barracuda e-bike was seen travelling “at speed” towards him.
Nadine said she was inside the house at the time and “jumped up” when she heard her son scream. She said that when she got out, there was “blood everywhere, all over Carter’s face and on the ground.” The mum described the scene as “horrendous” and revealed: “At first I thought he didn’t have an eyeball, his eyelid was completely covering his one eye. His nose was hanging off.”
Talking to the Daily Telegraph, she added: “He looked like he had been badly beaten up, he was so battered and bruised. His chest also had a large yellow and blue bruise where I think the bike handlebars had hit him, flipping the cyclist off.”
Witnesses who rushed to the scene said the man left after the collision, leaving Carter seriously injured. The boy was rushed to hospital and underwent two operations, Nadine said. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, Carter required extensive stitching to his nose, mouth and an eyelid.
Nadine has now criticised the e-bike driver for escaping as she blasted his “unbelievable behaviour” saying: “The fact the cyclist didn’t stop to check on my child or pick him up off the ground and seek help shows that man has no heart.” She also believes the man may have left as his e-bike may have been modified to go faster than the 15.5mph legal limit they can travel with limited pedal assistance from the rider.
The mum said Carter is now “petrified” of being hit in a similar incident while playing outside. She added that while doctors are pleased with his progress nearly two weeks after the incident, they believe it will take a few months for his injured eye to fully open.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement: “The person riding the bike left the scene following the incident. Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident including the type of bike which was being ridden. Our investigation remains ongoing including speaking with the boy and his family, house to house enquiries and analysing CCTV.”
In July, another nine-year-old boy was left with “serious” injuries after being struck by an electric bike. The child was riding his pedal bike when the rider of an electric Sur-Ron or a Talaria-type bike collided with him in Blaenymaes, Swansea, in June. According to South Wales Police, the rider of the electric bike had “failed to stop”, leaving the child with “serious injuries.” He has since required surgery.
E-bikes have become increasingly popular for commuting, leisure and exercise – but they have also raised questions about their legality, especially on public roads and paths. In the UK, they are limited to a maximum power output of 250 watts and the motor must cut out once the bike reaches 15.5mph, meaning that they can assist the driver but can’t be ridden solely on the power of their electric motor.
While the motor needs to stop after 15.5mph, cyclists can go faster if they are able to continue pedalling. E-bikes that can go faster than the 15.5mph without the assistance from the rider are considered mopeds and require registration and tax.
