A girl aged five may be scarred for life after being hit by a man riding a virtually silent electric dirt bike and dragged for 50ft.
Emily Hill was being collected from an aunt’s house in a quiet cul-de-sac when she stepped into the road and was struck by the £4,750 Sur-Ron L1E machine, marketed as ‘offering hours of near silent fun’ by its makers.
Her family say the bike — which has a top speed of 30mph but can be made faster for off-road use — was driven through bollards onto the road moments earlier.
Emily’s scalp was ripped away, exposing her skull.
She needed 24 stitches in her head and facial wounds and doctors warn she may need follicle graft surgery to grow hair back, because the injuries may have permanently damaged her scalp.
Dad Sam, 27, said Emily slipped in and out of consciousness on the journey to hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, adding: ‘She lost so much blood.’
Mum Leigh, 23, said: ‘People think electric bikes are safe, but we learned the hardest way they aren’t.
‘They’re silent and can move as fast as a car. They’re targeted at teens and young adults, but they’re not toys.’
West Yorkshire police said: ‘A 22-year-old man has been reported for offences relating to a collision.
‘Enquiries are continuing.’
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