A teenager who tragically died after the e-scooter he and a friend were riding collided with a car has been remembered as a ‘bright, loving young boy’ by devastated family and friends. Jacob Calland, just 14 years old, was riding through a busy junction in Wythenshawe, Manchester, when the horrific accident occurred on March 19, 2025.
Jacob was rushed to the hospital but sadly lost his fight for life on March 28, 2025. His family and friends have since set up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses, with his mother, Carly, described as being ‘overwhelmed with sorrow’ by the tragic loss of her son.
The crash took place at the junction of Southmoor Road and Altrincham Road, around 4 PM. An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene near a Lidl supermarket, where traffic was diverted and tram services were temporarily suspended. Witnesses reported seeing the electric scooter being ridden by two youths before it collided with a vehicle.
As investigators examined the scene, a car with a smashed windscreen was visible alongside the abandoned scooter. A fundraiser initiated by friends Megan Miller and another companion aims to support Jacob’s family during this heart-wrenching time. In a heartfelt message, they stated, ‘Jacob was a bright, loving young boy whose life was tragically cut short in a devastating accident.’
They expressed the importance of easing the financial burdens that have fallen on Jacob’s family, saying, ‘Every donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference.’ The fundraiser quickly topped £4,500, leading Carly to express her gratitude, highlighting the overwhelming support from the community.
Tributes have poured in from friends and family. Sam Williams shared on Facebook, ‘I will miss your infectious cheeky smile, the moody looks I’d get when you got out of bed on the wrong side and that little giggle you’d do when you would try and tell me a fib and I’d catch you out. You truly were loved by everyone Jacob and you will hold a piece of my heart forever.’
Ria Headey added, ‘My heart is broken hearing of the loss of beautiful Jacob. Rest in peace beautiful boy.’ Leigh Townsend echoed similar sentiments, stating, ‘Such a loving funny beautiful boy. Life can be so cruel!! Forever 14.’
Jacob’s family is currently being supported by specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police, who have confirmed that the other boy involved in the incident did not suffer serious injuries. As of March 28, no arrests have been made, but police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Safety campaigners are increasingly vocal about the need for legal safeguards regarding e-scooter use, especially as incidents involving these vehicles have tripled over the past three years. A recent investigation found that between 2020 and 2023, 29 people lost their lives in 4,515 e-scooter collisions, which also resulted in 4,807 injuries, 1,402 of which were serious.
In 2020, the UK recorded 460 collisions involving e-scooters, leading to 484 injuries and one death. This number surged to 1,411 collisions in 2022, resulting in 1,502 injuries and 12 fatalities. The increasing prevalence of e-scooter usage has raised alarms among safety advocates, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents, including that of Ian Hislop, who suffered a head injury after being hit by an e-bike last December.
Privately owned electric scooters, which can reach speeds of 90 mph with modifications, are widely available without identity checks but are legally restricted to private land. In some towns and cities, e-scooters can be hired by individuals aged 16 and over with a provisional driving license, under a trial scheme that limits speeds to 15.5 mph. However, concerns have been raised about fraudulent identity documents being used to rent these vehicles.
As the government contemplates the possibility of allowing e-scooters nationwide, safety campaigners, including the Royal National Institute for the Blind and families affected by e-scooter incidents, are urging ministers to implement stricter regulations. Proposed measures include speed limiters, mandatory training for riders, and stricter enforcement against the illegal use of e-scooters on pavements.
Detective Constable Steven Pennington of Greater Manchester Police stated on March 28, 2025, “A young boy has tragically lost his life following this collision, and our condolences are with his family and friends. Our work into the circumstances of the collision is still ongoing, and we continue to ask anyone with relevant information to please get in touch with us.”
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has any CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage to contact them or reach out to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life, hoping for answers and advocating for safer roads for all.
