The son of an 81-year-old Benalla woman hit by an e-scooter in Melbourne last week says he hopes the rider feels ashamed about it, calling it a “gutless” and “cowardly” act.
Police allege Jessie Hatch was hit by the scooter rider around 11pm on Friday as she was heading towards Jolimont train station after a football game at the MCG.
A keen Magpies supporter, Ms Hatch had been attending that night’s Collingwood vs Carlton game.
Victoria Police Transit Crime Investigation Unit’s Senior Constable Rebecca Zanatta said the alleged hit and run occurred after Ms Hatch had a discussion with the male rider about road rules.
“Following this discussion, Jessie simply walked away to go to the train station. She has turned her back to the male and continued on her way,” she said.
“A few seconds later she has then felt a strong impact to her back and has fallen to the ground heavily.
“When she has turned around she has then seen this male leaving the area leaving at a very fast speed on the scooter.”
A number of witnesses
Senior Constable Zanatta said a number of witnesses came to Ms Hatch’s aid, including one man who chased the rider on foot but could not catch up with him.
She said Ms Hatch was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injures.
“Luckily those spinal injuries have since been eliminated through testing,” she said.
“However [Ms Hatch] has sustained serious bruising and lacerations that required stitches.
“She is obviously very shocked and disturbed by the incident.”
Senior Constable Zanatta said police were treating the matter as a deliberate hit.
“A small elderly woman walking away from the [alleged] offender with her back turned to him never really stood a chance in this incident,” she said.
The rider has been described as fair-skinned, in his mid 30s to 40s, with short, light brown hair, wearing a red jacket and distinctive, thick prescription glasses that magnify his eyes to a significant degree.
Police said the man was riding a grey e-scooter and was last seen on the Swan Street bridge, where he was believed to be heading to the city’s central business district.
‘Cowardly’ and ‘gutless’ act
Ms Hatch’s son, Ken Bwphantom, travelled from his home in Queensland to check on and support his mother after the incident.
He said that while she was now out of a neck brace, she was still quite bruised and battered.
Mr Bwphantom said it had been a traumatic experience learning what had happened to his mother.
“I was only getting second-hand information because it is just so far away,” he said.
“I could not really do anything. I felt so helpless.”
He said he believed the rider had used the e-scooter in an intentional assault.
“I’m sorry but it is a weapon [the scooter],” he said.
“I just hope he feels ashamed absolutely at what he has done.”
Mr Bwphantom said a key moment during the MCG game on Friday further highlighted the impact of the e-scooter hit.
“The thing that really disturbs me is I am sitting watching the football on Friday night and all the players get out there, arm in arm, in the centre of the MCG in front of 80,000 people talking about zero violence against women … and then literally three hours later this happens,” he said.
“It cuts away your faith in things.
“The more we can do in society to stop these things form happening the better.”
Having received flowers and a message of support from the Collingwood Football Club, Ms Hatch and her family have thanked the club for its kind wishes for her recovery.
