Coroner Calls for Mobility Scooter Safety Review

Angela Carney, a 65-year-old grandmother, tragically died after her mobility scooter sped down a hill and collided with a Nissan Navara in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, on September 26. An inquest revealed that Carney inadvertently placed her scooter into freewheel mode, preventing her from braking or taking evasive action as she traveled downhill. The report, issued by senior coroner Martin Fleming, highlighted the lack of an emergency braking mechanism in her 2005 model scooter, which is not mandatory for older models in the UK. Despite being roadworthy, the scooter's design flaws led to severe injuries that ultimately resulted in her death. The coroner has called for an urgent review of regulations surrounding mobility scooters to prevent future fatalities, expressing concerns that many older models may lack necessary safety features. This incident underscores the potential dangers faced by mobility scooter users who may be unaware of the implications of freewheel mode and the absence of emergency brakes.