Head trauma, limb fractures and gruesome stitches: The ‘life-changing’ physical toll of injuries suffered while riding popular Lime scooters is revealed
- The extent of injuries caused by the electric Lime scooters has been revealed
- Surgeons at three hospitals reported nearly 100 cases as a result of Lime
- The injuries range from minor bruising and cuts to extensive surgeries
The debilitating injuries caused by a group of newly-introduced yet massively-popular hire scooters have been revealed.
Heralded as the environmentally-friendly alternative to public transport, Lime scooters were introduced to Brisbane in November last year.
But after only a few months of operation, Lime may have done more damage than they’ve prevented, with doctors and nurses noticing a distinct spike in injuries caused the hire scooters.
Surgeons have warned against using Lime scooters until they’re deemed safe after a spate of injuries
Nearly 100 injuries were reported in only three hospitals over the course of two months as a result of the scooters
In the span of only two months, Brisbane doctors at three hospitals have seen 88 separate cases of injuries caused by the scooters.
The injuries range from easily-treated bone bruises to fractured arm requiring extensive and expensive surgeries.
Two-thirds of the cases were people aged 20 to 34 years old, and a little more than half were males.
One in every ten instance required surgery, with injuries including head trauma, fractures, sprains, strains and bruises and cuts.
Injuries ranged from contusions (pictured) to extensive and expensive surgeries
Lime have been told to prove their electric scooters are safe or they may be discontinued
The harrowing extent of injuries and disabilities has resulted in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) warning against their use.
Chair of the RACS Trauma Committee Dr John Crozier said that public awareness of the dangers associated with these vehicles is required and that legislative measures should be implemented.
‘We also urge that the safety of pedestrians and other road users is considered in any future decisions regarding the use of scooters as we have seen that the injuries are not isolated to scooter users alone,’ he said.
Lime’s operators were told last Wednesday they had a fortnight to prove the electric scooters were safe or they would risk being pulled from the city.
Daily Mail Australia have approach Lime for comment.