Woman dies in hospital after Vancouver e-scooter crash

An electric kick scooter. (File)

Vancouver police are warning of the dangers of riding electric scooters without a helmet after a woman died in hospital over the weekend following a crash, and another suffered a head injury.

The department says the fatal incident occurred on July 3 in the area of Commercial Drive and Venables Street around 10 a.m.

A 30-year-old woman was travelling west on Venables Street when her e-scooter crashed into the side of a vehicle, causing her to fall and hit her head on the ground, according to police. The woman was conscious when she was taken to hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.

In a second incident around 2 p.m. Sunday, police say a woman riding an e-scooter was hit from behind by a man also on an e-scooter near Coal Harbour Quay and Nicola Street. The 54-year-old suffered a head injury and broken collarbone. Police say she is expected to recover.

“Neither victim was wearing a helmet while riding,” Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Adam Donaldson said, in a statement Tuesday. “In both incidents, a helmet may not have prevented the collisions, but it could have significantly reduced the severity of the injuries. Please make sure to wear a properly fitted helmet and ensure it is secured appropriately.”

Helmets are required when riding e-scooters under the Motor Vehicle Act. Electric scooters are allowed in participating cities under a pilot project that runs until 2028.