Police are urgently hunting for an electric motorbike rider who fled the scene after colliding with a five-year-old girl on a pavement in Weston-super-Mare, leaving her with “potentially life-changing injuries.”
The youngster was standing outside her home on Brompton Road, Somerset, when the rider of what police describe as a distinctive blue Surron or Talaria-style electric motorbike struck her at approximately 7.50pm yesterday evening.
The rider, who was seen wearing a black balaclava, immediately fled the scene without stopping to help the seriously injured child, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
Schoolgirl Hospitalised
The five-year-old schoolgirl is currently receiving treatment in hospital for her injuries, which police have described as potentially life-changing. Her family are being supported by specialist officers whilst CCTV enquiries are being carried out across the area.
Avon and Somerset Police have released footage showing a male in a black balaclava and black coat riding the electric bike through what appears to be an alleyway in the vicinity of the incident.
The force has now launched an urgent public appeal to identify the rider and locate the distinctive electric motorcycle involved in the shocking hit-and-run.
Suspect Description
Police describe the suspect as a white male, approximately 17 to 18 years old, who was wearing all black clothing including a hooded top and balaclava at the time of the incident.
Officers noted that the rider’s jacket had a distinctive motif printed or embroidered across the rear of the shoulders, which could prove crucial in identifying the suspect.
The electric motorcycle is described as a distinctive Surron or Talaria-style machine, electric blue in colour with black accents. Police said the front forks appear to be wrapped in white or reflective striping, making it potentially easier to identify.
Legal Questions Over E-Bikes
The incident has raised serious questions about the use of powerful electric motorcycles on pavements and public roads. Most Surron and Talaria models are not road legal in the UK as they exceed the 250-watt power limit for electric bikes and lack functional pedals.
Under UK law, these machines are classified as motorcycles or mopeds rather than e-bikes, meaning they require registration, insurance, tax, and an appropriate licence to be used legally on roads. They are explicitly prohibited from being ridden on pavements.
Without proper registration and licensing, riders of these powerful electric motorcycles face potential prosecution for driving without insurance, which carries a minimum £300 fine and six penalty points.
Community Shock
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community in Weston-super-Mare, with residents expressing outrage that a young child could be struck down on the pavement outside her own home.
The seaside town, which has a population of over 82,000, has seen growing concerns about the illegal use of electric motorcycles and e-scooters on pavements and in pedestrian areas.
Local councillors have previously raised concerns about the dangers posed by riders using pavements and cycle paths illegally, particularly in residential areas where children play.
Police Appeal
Avon and Somerset Police are urgently appealing for witnesses and anyone with relevant footage to come forward immediately to help identify the rider and locate the vehicle.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We are also appealing to any potential witnesses to come forward, and anybody who may have CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage of the incident, or of the moments leading up to it, to contact us on 101.”
The force is particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the distinctive blue electric motorcycle in the area before or after the collision, or who recognises the description of the rider.
Growing Problem
The incident highlights the growing problem of illegally modified or unregistered electric motorcycles being used on UK roads and pavements. These machines, which can reach speeds of up to 45mph, pose a significant danger to pedestrians when used irresponsibly.
Road safety campaigners have called for stricter enforcement and clearer regulations around electric motorcycles, particularly as their popularity continues to grow among younger riders.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Avon and Somerset Police immediately on 101, quoting the reference number for yesterday evening’s collision on Brompton Road, Weston-super-Mare.
The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to identify the rider who left a five-year-old girl fighting for her future.
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