A 57-year-old man is critical in hospital after he and another man fell from an e-scooter on Church Cowley Road, Oxford, early on Thursday. Police want witnesses.

A 57-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after two men fell from an e-scooter on Church Cowley Road in Oxford in the early hours of Thursday.

He suffered a significant head injury. Thames Valley Police published an appeal for witnesses on its own website at 9.39am on Friday 16 October.

What the police have said

The force’s statement sets out what is known so far:

  • The crash happened between about 12.42am and 12.54am on Thursday 15 October, on Church Cowley Road.
  • The journey is believed to have started on Iffley Road.
  • Two men were travelling on one e-scooter when they fell from it.
  • The 57-year-old man is in hospital in a critical condition.
  • The other man, aged 22, suffered minor cuts and bruises.

The 22-year-old was arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit and causing serious injury by careless driving. He has since been released under investigation. An arrest is not a charge, and nobody has been charged.

The police have not named either man. They have not said whether any other vehicle was involved. We have not added anything the force has not said.

PC Mark Jones, of the Roads Policing Unit, is leading the investigation. He said: “We are carrying out enquiries to establish exactly what happened and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the e-scooter being ridden in the area beforehand.”

Where it happened

Church Cowley Road is in OX4, in Church Cowley. It runs from Rose Hill, past Rose Hill Cemetery, towards Templars Square. The force has not said where on the road the men fell.

What it means for you

  • If you were on Church Cowley Road or Iffley Road shortly before 1am on Thursday, the police want to hear from you.
  • If you saw an e-scooter carrying two people in the area beforehand, that is also useful to the investigation.
  • If you were driving nearby, check your dash-cam. The force has asked for footage.
  • How to get in touch, quoting reference 43260539030:
  • by phone on 101
  • online through Thames Valley Police’s reporting page
  • anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or its online form

We will update this page if the force issues anything further.