Tougher scooter guidelines needed

A Plymouth coroner wants tougher safety guidelines for mobility scooters after the death of an elderly woman in Devon.

Bea Beloe's mobility scooter careered down a steep driveway and crashed into a parked car earlier this year.

The 79-year-old from Dittisham was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, but died two days later.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Nigel Meadows said a clearer explanation was needed on the use of the freewheel system.

Ms Beloe had mistakenly put her scooter in free-wheel mode which meant the brakes would not operate.

Mr Meadows is now calling for mobility scooters to be fitted with extra brakes and says he will be writing to the government minister concerned, the scooter manufacturers and suppliers to raise his concerns.