EXCLUSIVE Revealed: Schoolboy, 14, killed when e-scooter he and friend were riding collided with car - as friends pay tribute to bright, loving young boy
A teenager who tragically died after the e-scooter he and a friend were riding collided with a car was a ‘bright, loving young boy’, devastated family and friends said today.
A teenager who tragically died after the e-scooter he and a friend were riding collided with a car was a ‘bright, loving young boy’, devastated family and friends said today.
Jacob Calland, 14, was riding through a busy junction in Wythenshawe, Manchester on March 19 when the horrific smash happened.
He was rushed to hospital but tragically lost his fight for life yesterday.
Friends and family have now set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral, saying Jacob’s mother Carly has been left ‘overwhelmed with sorrow’ by the tragedy.
It comes as e-scooter collisions have trebled in three years, prompting urgent calls for law changes.
Deaths and serious injuries linked to the powerful motorised machines have also reached worryingly high levels, a Mail investigation found earlier this year.
In total, 29 people died between 2020 and 2023 in 4,515 e-scooter collisions, which also caused 4,807 injuries, 1,402 of them serious.
Police and paramedics were called to the collision on Southmoor Road, at the junction of Altrincham Road on the afternoon March 19 – last Wednesday.
Jacob Calland, 14, described by friends as a bright, loving young boy’, pictured here with his mother Carly, tragically lost his fight for life yesterday
Flowers laid at the scene paid tribute to Jacob after his death. The crash on Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, took place on March 19
An air ambulance was also scrambled to the scene close to a Lidl supermarket while traffic was diverted and tram services suspended.
Witnesses reported seeing the electric scooter being ridden by two youths before it was involved in the incident with another vehicle.
As accident investigators examined the scene, a car with a smashed windscreen could be seen along with the abandoned scooter in the middle of the road and a learner driver vehicle.
A fundraiser set up by Megan Miller and a friend to raise money for his funeral says: ‘Jacob was a bright, loving young boy whose life was tragically cut short in a devastating accident.
‘His passing has left his family, especially his grieving mother, overwhelmed with sorrow and the challenges of facing such an unimaginable loss.
‘Gabby and I have started this GoFundMe to help ease some of the financial burdens that have fallen on Jacob’s family during this heartbreaking time.
‘Our goal is to support them in providing Jacob with the dignified farewell he deserves, easing the stress of unexpected expenses associated with memorial services and other immediate needs.
‘Every donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference.
‘Your generosity will not only help honour Jacob’s memory but also provide his family with some comfort and support as they navigate this painful journey.
‘Thank you for opening your hearts and lending your support during this difficult time. Your kindness means the world.’
After funds quickly topped £4,500 she added: ‘There are too many people to thank individually so just wanted to say how blown away Carly is by all your kindness, what a community we live in!
‘You are all amazing thank you endlessly.’
Witnesses reported seeing the electric scooter being ridden by two youths when it collided with another vehicle, fatally injuring one of the boys, 14-year-old Jacob Calland, who died yesterday.
Responding to the post via Facebook, Sam Williams wrote: ‘I will miss your infectious cheeky smile, the moody looks I’d get when you got out of bed on the wrong side and that little giggle you’d do when you would try and tell me a fib and I’d catch you out.
‘You truly were loved by everyone Jacob and you will hold a piece of my heart forever.’
Ria Headey posted: ‘My heart is broken hearing of the loss of beautiful Jacob.
‘Rest in peace beautiful boy.’
And Leigh Townsend posted: ‘Such a loving funny beautiful boy. Life can be so cruel!! Forever 14.’
Jacob’s family are currently being supported by specialist officers.
The other boy did not receive serious injuries, police said today.
No arrests have been made but police today appealed for witnesses to contact them.
Safety campaigners are calling for legal safeguards on the use of e-scooters and want police to enforce the rules banning them from pavements.
Across the UK in 2020, there were 460 collisions involving the vehicles, with 484 people injured and one death.
Since then, incidents have increased dramatically and peaked in 2022 when there were 1,411 collisions, with 1502 injuries and 12 deaths.
Recent casualties have included Have I Got News For You host Ian Hislop, 64, who suffered a head injury when he was hit by an e-bike last December.
Privately owned electric scooters – which can reach speeds of 90mph with modifications – are sold widely without identity checks but are supposed to be used only on private land, and are illegal on public roads and footpaths.
The scooters are available to hire in some towns and cities for people aged 16 and over with a provisional driving licence, under a trial scheme with speeds limited to 15.5mph, but there is concern about false identity documents being used to hire them.
The Government is consulting on whether to allow the use of e-scooters nationwide.
But safety campaigners, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and victims’ families are urging ministers to get tougher on regulating the machines.
These could include speed limiters and training requirements for riders, and a crackdown on hired vehicles being left strewn across pavements.
Today Detective Constable Steven Pennington of Greater Manchester Police said: “A young boy has tragically lost his life following this collision and our condolences are with his family and friends.
“Our work into the circumstances of the collision is still ongoing and we continue to ask anyone with relevant information to please get in touch with us as we continue our work.”
He asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has any CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage to get in touch with officers or contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.