**Mother’s Campaign Warns Others After Son’s Fatal E-Scooter Crash**
A Manchester mother is urging families and lawmakers to confront the risks posed by electric scooters, following the tragic death of her 14-year-old son, Jacob Calland. The boy’s life was cut short earlier this year after what his mother describes as a “split-second mistake”, underscoring growing concerns about illegal e-scooter use and safety regulations.
In March, Jacob made an impulsive choice to ride as a passenger on the back of a friend’s e-scooter, despite repeated warnings from his mother about their dangers. The fateful journey began just outside their home in Wythenshawe, ending in disaster when the scooter collided with a car at a busy junction, before striking another vehicle. Neither Jacob nor his friend was wearing a helmet or any protective gear at the time.
Jacob suffered a devastating head injury in the incident. Paramedics administered life-saving care at the scene before rushing him to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Tragically, despite medical intervention, Jacob died eight days later, leaving his family and local community in mourning.
In the wake of this loss, his mother Carly Calland released a powerful YouTube video, “Jacob’s Journey – Life Over Death”, which has already been viewed over 20,000 times. The ten-minute film recounts events on the day of the accident and includes harrowing footage of the air ambulance landing at the scene. Carly’s intent is to send a sobering message to other young people and their parents about the dangers of e-scooters and the life-altering impact of a single risky decision.
As well as telling Jacob’s story, the video incorporates screenshots from social media of people speculating about the accident, alongside poignant messages Carly sent to her son while he remained unconscious in hospital. This personal documentation offers a raw, first-hand account of the trauma experienced by families affected by road tragedies involving children.
Carly has long maintained a stance against e-scooter use, stating that she never permitted Jacob to own one because she recognised the risks. “Jacob wasn’t even driving, but just being a passenger on an e-scooter cost him his life,” she reflected. She also highlighted the legal grey areas surrounding e-scooter usage in the UK. While it is technically illegal to ride privately-owned e-scooters in public spaces, breaches are widely ignored by both children and adults.
Since the accident, Carly has channelled her grief into campaigning for stricter regulations. She believes a more robust legal framework and better public awareness are urgently needed to prevent future tragedies. “There is no age restriction on who can buy or ride these machines, and the current laws are simply being flouted,” she warned. “If my campaign saves even one child, my pain may not have been in vain.”
The mother’s efforts are not merely focused on changing the law, but also dispelling public misconceptions. Carly has faced online abuse, with some commenters wrongly accusing her of irresponsibility or even suggesting she was to blame for Jacob’s death. She is determined to address these misunderstandings, urging critics to watch her video and comprehend the heartbreak faced by bereaved families. “People don’t realise the impact of their words or the complexity of these situations,” she lamented.
Greater Manchester Police, investigating the incident, have confirmed that no arrests have been made. They are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage of the collision to come forward to aid their enquiries.
The conversation about e-scooter safety remains a contentious one across the UK, as their popularity among teenagers and adults continues to rise. Campaigners like Carly Calland hope that, through sharing personal tragedies, a broader understanding and stronger safeguards can be established to protect children and the wider public from similar heartbreak.