Nine-year-old boy needs surgery after e-scooter collision in Cullybackey

Nine-year-old Ballymena boy Joshua Mairs who underwent emergency surgery in the Royal Victoria Hospital after being hit by an e-scooter in Cullybackey

A nine-year-old boy has undergone surgery for a shattered elbow after being knocked down in a collision involving an e-scooter in Cullybackey — forcing his family to cancel a long-planned holiday and prompting a fresh warning to parents about the dangers of the illegal machines.

Joshua Mairs was walking back from Cullybackey Park with a friend on Sunday evening when the collision happened in the Kilmakevit Crescent area at around 5pm.

His mum, Ruth Mairs, said Joshua tried to move out of the way of the scooter, while the boy riding it also swerved, but the two collided.

The impact left Joshua with a serious elbow injury. He was first taken to the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital before being transferred to the Royal Hospital in Belfast, where he underwent surgery on Monday morning.

Family ordeal after park collision

Ruth said the incident had been a frightening and stressful ordeal for the whole family, with Joshua now recovering at home with pain relief after surgery.

She said:

“I just wanted to share the dangers of these e-scooters. Joshua was knocked down by one on Sunday in Cullybackey and it resulted in him having surgery in the Royal for a shattered elbow.

“It’s been a horrible ordeal but, as usual, he’s taken it like an absolute hero. It could have been much worse.”

The family had been due to fly to Corfu on Friday, 29 May, but have had to cancel the holiday as Joshua is currently unfit to travel.

Ruth said the disappointment had added another layer to what had already been a difficult week for Joshua and his sister Annabeth.

‘Please be aware of the dangers’

Joshua recovering after emergency surgery in the Royal Victoria Hospital after being hit by an e-scooter in Cullybackey

Ruth said she hoped speaking out would help raise awareness among other parents, particularly as she has since heard of other incidents involving e-scooters.

She said:

“Please, please, please, parents, be aware of the dangers of these scooters. They are illegal for a very good reason.

“I’m thankful it wasn’t more serious, but I’m hearing this incident is one of many. They are dangerous for the child using the scooter as much as members of the public.

“Hopefully this raises some more awareness and there will be no more incidents.”

For the Mairs family, the consequences have gone beyond Joshua’s injury. The collision has brought hospital treatment, surgery, cancelled travel plans and the emotional strain of seeing a young child injured during what should have been an ordinary walk home from the park.

Police appeal for witnesses

Police confirmed they received a report of a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian and an e-scooter in the Kilmakevit Crescent area of Cullybackey, which occurred on Sunday, 24 May.

A PSNI spokesperson said one person was taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has footage that could assist enquiries, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 333 25/05/26.

Fresh warnings raised days before Cullybackey collision

The collision involving Joshua came just days after Braid UUP Councillor Alan Barr publicly warned about the dangers linked to the growing misuse of e-scooters across the Ballymena area.

Last week, Councillor Barr said he had raised concerns with the PSNI about both the legal status of e-scooters and the increasing need for stronger public education around their use, particularly among children and teenagers.

He said he welcomed a swift response from police confirming they would continue engaging with schools ahead of the summer holidays to help raise awareness around the law and the dangers associated with e-scooter misuse.

Councillor Barr said:

“After contacting the PSNI regarding both educational programmes and the legal position surrounding e-scooters, Sam and I were encouraged to receive a prompt and constructive response.

“The PSNI has confirmed it will continue engaging with schools ahead of the summer holidays to help raise awareness of the law and the dangers associated with e-scooter misuse.

“I want to thank officers for taking the issue seriously and for recognising the importance of education and early intervention.

“By improving awareness amongst young people, parents and the wider public — alongside enforcement where necessary — we can help prevent serious injuries and ultimately save lives, both for pedestrians and those using e-scooters.”

Barr said police had acknowledged the importance of increasing awareness before the summer period, when more children and young people are expected to be outdoors using parks, streets and shared public spaces.

He added that education, backed by enforcement where required, remained critical to preventing serious injuries involving both riders and pedestrians — a warning that has now taken on added significance following the incident involving nine-year-old Joshua in Cullybackey.

E-scooter danger under growing scrutiny

The Cullybackey collision comes amid wider concern across Northern Ireland about the use of e-scooters on roads, pavements and public spaces.

Under current legislation, e-scooters are treated as motor vehicles. That means riders must have a driving licence, while the vehicle must be taxed, insured, fitted with lights and display a number plate.

In practice, privately owned e-scooters are generally illegal to use on roads, pavements and most public spaces in Northern Ireland.

The issue has also reached Stormont, where North Antrim MLA Paul Frew and SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone have tabled an amendment to the Justice Bill aimed at making it easier for police to seize vehicles, including e-scooters, being used in a way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

At present, officers generally must issue a warning before seizure powers can be used, unless certain exceptions apply. The proposed amendment would remove that requirement, allowing police to seize vehicles more quickly in dangerous or antisocial situations.

Warnings from doctors, police and vulnerable pedestrians

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has also recently warned that e-scooters are “not toys”, following a Department for Infrastructure awareness campaign featuring people affected by their illegal use.

The campaign included Dr Duncan Redmill, a consultant in emergency medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, who described e-scooters as heavy machines capable of causing life-changing injuries.

It also featured Julieanne, who has sight and hearing impairments, and Ken, who is registered blind and relies on his guide dog Waffle for independence. Both spoke about the fear and loss of confidence caused by e-scooters being ridden through public spaces.

Police have said the inappropriate use of e-scooters poses a risk to both riders and the wider public, with children among those committing offences when the machines are used illegally in public areas.

Joshua’s injury brings that wider warning into sharp local focus for families in Cullybackey and beyond, where a few seconds outside a park has left one child facing surgery, recovery and a cancelled family holiday — and has renewed calls for parents to understand the risks before another child is hurt.