Two 15-year-old teenagers were involved in a collision with a 46-year-old cyclist in Thornaby, Teesside, on January 31, resulting in life-changing injuries for the cyclist. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the teenagers performing wheelies and speeding on Sur-Ron e-bikes. The collision occurred shortly before 2 PM when the teenagers attempted to overtake a car on Thorntree Road and struck the cyclist, who was traveling in the opposite direction. Neither of the teenagers was wearing a helmet or protective clothing at the time of the incident.
Following the collision, one of the riders fled the scene, while the other, who was injured, remained on the ground. Witnesses provided first aid to the cyclist, who is currently hospitalized. Police later identified the uninjured rider through fingerprints left on a van handle as he escaped.
On September 23, both teenagers pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates Court to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. They were disqualified from driving, ordered to pay £495 in compensation, and received a youth referral order. Detective Constable Nichola Lamport, the senior investigating officer, emphasized the broader impact of serious road collisions on families, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the victim and his family due to the injuries sustained.