Coroner demands scooter ban

The student appeared to lose control and flip over

A coroner has called on the Government to ban motorised scooters after a student died of head injuries following an accident.

Daniel Fisher, from Saltash in Cornwall, was seriously injured after falling off the "go-ped" scooter on a road near his home.

The Saltash College student was riding at a speed of 20 to 30mph without a crash helmet.

Mr Fisher suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital a week after the accident on 3 February.

To lose his life riding one of these absurd and dangerous machines is hard for us to accept

Rosemary and Stuart Fisher

He was seen by a neighbour riding the scooter "with a big smile on his face".

He then appeared to wobble, lose control and flip in the air.

The scooter belonged to his friend Spencer Cockerill, who had been given it as a Christmas present.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Plymouth coroner Nigel Meadows said:"It concerns me greatly that this sort of vehicle is being used on the highway in the circumstances we have heard of".

Letter written

Mr Meadows said he would write to Home Secretary David Blunkett calling for the use of go-peds on public roads to be made illegal.

In a statement, Daniel's parents Rosemary and Stuart Fisher said: "To lose his life riding one of these absurd and dangerous machines is hard for us to accept.

"We hope that this tragedy will drive home to youngsters who have these machines that they are dangerous, that they must not use them on the highway and must always wear a crash helmet."