“Blood Everywhere”: Byford Family’s Agony After Playground E-Scooter Hit-and-Run

“Blood Everywhere”: Byford Family’s Agony After Playground E-Scooter Hit-and-Run

Seven-year-old Archie left with permanent dental damage and trauma as parents demand immediate safety reforms in local parks.

A young boy has been left injured and traumatized after being run down by a teenager on an e-scooter at a children’s playground in Byford. Seven-year-old Archie was playing at the local park when a teenager, riding what witnesses described as a high-powered electric scooter, struck him at high speed and fled the scene. The impact was so severe that it ripped out one of Archie's teeth, including the bone, and left him with significant facial injuries.

Archie’s mother, Laura Drewett, described the horrific aftermath of the collision. "There was just blood everywhere," she said. "He's got a hole in his face, he’s lost a tooth, and the bone has come with it." The family is now calling for urgent action to regulate the use of these motorized devices in public spaces meant for children. "It was an accident waiting to happen. You see them flying through here all the time, and there is just no accountability," Drewett added.

The incident comes amidst a broader crackdown by Western Australia Police on reckless e-scooter and e-bike riders. Operation Moorhead, a recent enforcement initiative, has already seen dozens of high-powered electric devices seized and destroyed. In a clear message to dangerous riders, police in Joondalup recently used an excavator to crush over 30 confiscated e-rideables. Acting Inspector Scott Gillis emphasized the danger, noting, "Some of these machines can reach speeds of 80 km/h. They are not toys, and in the hands of children, they are incredibly dangerous."

The state government is now considering further measures to curb the rising number of injuries. A parliamentary inquiry into e-rideables has recommended the implementation of ID stickers or registration plates for the devices to ensure riders can be identified after an incident. Police Minister Reece Whitby addressed the potential for new legislation, stating, "We are looking at all options to make sure that people who use these devices do so safely, and those who don't are held responsible for their actions."

For Archie’s parents, the trauma is far from over as they focus on their son's recovery and the search for the person responsible. "He's scared to go back to the park," his father shared. "How do you tell a seven-year-old it’s safe to play when someone can just run him down and keep going?" Local authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or the rider involved to contact Crime Stoppers.

The growing popularity of e-scooters in Western Australian suburbs has brought a wave of community concern regarding pedestrian safety, particularly in playgrounds and school zones. The recent hit-and-run in Byford involving seven-year-old Archie has reignited calls for stricter enforcement and mandatory identification for all motorized scooters. Archie was struck by a teenager who witnesses say was traveling far above the legal speed limit for a pedestrian area.

During an emotional interview, Archie’s mother, Laura Drewett, recounted the moment she saw her son after the crash. "To see your child with that much blood on them... it’s a mother’s nightmare," she said. "The teenager didn't even stop. He looked back and just kept going. There was no remorse." The family's plea for "urgent action" is echoed by many Byford residents who claim that high-speed e-scooters have become a permanent fixture on local footpaths.

Western Australian authorities are already taking unprecedented steps to manage the issue. Police have recently charged 25 juveniles and four adults in a localized crackdown, citing behavior that includes "throwing objects at vehicles" and "evading police." To demonstrate the severity of the situation, WA Police released footage of seized scooters being sent to a crusher. "If you are riding these illegally and putting the public at risk, we will take your scooter and it will be destroyed," a police spokesperson warned.

Legislative changes may be on the horizon as the state government reviews the findings of a safety inquiry. One of the primary suggestions is the introduction of visible registration stickers. Police Minister Reece Whitby noted, "The inquiry has shown that many of these accidents are preventable. We need to ensure that our laws keep up with the technology to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, like young children in parks."

As Archie undergoes dental surgery and recovers from his physical wounds, the emotional scars remain. His parents hope that by speaking out, they can prevent another family from enduring a similar tragedy. "We don't want these banned entirely," his mother clarified, "we just want them used safely and for there to be a way to find people when they cause harm. Right now, they are just ghosts on the sidewalk."

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