Schoolboy, 10, suffers horrific injuries after electric scooter crash just days before tougher laws come into force

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER Published: 04:41, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 04:42, 24 June 2026 A 10-year-old boy spent five nights in a Queensland hospital with a fractured eye socket and head stitches after he was hit by an electric scooter. Cooper was walking through his school gates with a push scooter in Deeragun, in Townsville's outer west, on June 17 when the incident occurred. He was struck by an older child riding an electric scooter at high speed on the footpath, his father, Jack Stuart-Sutherland, said in a GoFundMe. 'The impact caused significant injuries, including two broken fingers, a fractured eye socket, three deep lacerations to his forehead requiring 25 stitches,' he said. Cooper also suffered a concussion, extensive cuts and bruising, and possible permanent damage to his eye. 'The rider left the scene before we were able to identify them, leaving Cooper injured and distressed on the ground.' Mr Stuart-Sutherland said the family has not been able to find who was responsible despite ongoing efforts.  'As parents, watching our child go through something like this has been very emotional,' he said.  Jack Stuart-Sutherland has launched a GoFundMe after his son was hit by an electric scooter Pictured, the 10-year-old's helmet was significantly scuffed after the collision Cooper (pictured) was hit by the e-scooter while leaving school in Deeragun on June 17 'We spent five nights by Cooper's side in hospital. While he is now home and recovering well, he still has a long road ahead. 'The physical injuries will take time to heal, and the emotional impact of such a traumatic event may stay with him for many years.' Mr Stuart-Sutherland said his son is a 'kind, active and resilient young boy' and he is proud of his courage.  He added that the family is grateful the injuries were not more severe.  The father of two said he has taken significant time off work to care for his son, losing income as a casual employee.  'We aren't usually the type to ask for financial assistance, but the reality of this situation has placed a considerable strain on our family,' he said. The GoFundMe was set up to help Cooper's family cover medical appointments, travel costs and recovery-related expenses.  The incident comes just days before the Queensland government's tougher e-scooter and e-bike laws come into force.  Cooper suffered a fractured eye socket and could face long-term damage The incident comes just days before the Queensland government's tougher e-scooter and e-bike laws come into force (stock image) From July 1, devices faster than 25km/h will be banned and 12km/h speed limits will apply on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.  Riders on e-scooters, e-skateboards or e-unicycles will be allowed on roads, including on-road bike lanes. They must be 16 years old and hold a licence from August 31, and parents will be fined up to $518 for under-16s riding illegally.  There are some exemptions for medical conditions and disabilities.  A parliamentary inquiry had recommended a total ban for under-16s from e-mobility devices, but the laws were softened. Earlier in June, the legislation was amended to allow those aged between 12 and 17 to use an e-mobility device under parental supervision.  Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Erica Gannon criticised the changes. 'This decision puts us right back where we started, with children being injured and killed,' she told ABC News. 'A straight ban would have kept rules clear, rather than put more pressure, as well as potential punishment, on parents. 'Emergency department physicians see the damage e-bikes and e-scooters cause and it's no joke. 'Tragically, some accidents are fatal, which is devastating for the families and communities of the victims, and for hospital staff involved.' 'We're struggling to see what the point of the inquiry was, if there is to be almost no change in the legislation.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.