Two Boys Seriously Injured After Alleged Ute Chase in Melbourne
Victims suffered broken bones and open wounds after being pursued by a vehicle, with police seeking to identify the driver.
Two boys, aged 12 and 13, sustained serious injuries including broken bones and open wounds after allegedly being chased by a ute in Melbourne's eastern suburbs on Sunday evening. The incident occurred on Prince Street in Ferntree Gully when the two friends were riding an e-scooter.
According to reports, a white ute carrying multiple passengers began following the boys. Video footage obtained by 7News showed the vehicle tailing the e-scooter riders along the footpath. Stirling Jakubowski, 12, stated that the occupants of the ute repeatedly sprayed them with silly string and chased them, swerving towards them multiple times. "They chased us down that street and they swerved at us," Stirling told 7News.
Paramedics attended to the injured boys at the scene. Stirling's mother, April, said her son was conscious and talking, but his friend, Courtney Nightingale, 13, was in significant distress. Courtney's mother, Ange, described the scene as "horrific" and noted the amount of blood, receiving a warning before seeing her son.
Courtney suffered a broken collarbone, a broken finger, and extensive skin damage requiring grafts. Doctors indicated that Courtney might not have survived the crash without wearing a helmet. His father, Ben, stated that Courtney is likely to require plastic surgery.
Witnesses reportedly informed the police that the ute appeared to be driven by a girl who seemed underage. The occupants of the vehicle allegedly left the scene after the incident.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that investigations are underway. "Two children, aged 13 and 12 from the Knox area, were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries after falling from their e-scooters after being followed by the ute about 7.30pm," the spokesperson said. "The driver of the ute is yet to be identified and spoken to by police."
Courtney's parents have appealed for severe consequences for those responsible, emphasizing the pain and suffering caused by the incident. "Some severe punishment because it's not nice," Ange said. Ben added, "Come and have a see what pain you've caused me and Ange and my little boy."