Filipino dies after 'hoverboard' accident in Dubai

Dubai - This is the second hoverboard-related death reported in the UAE, and the first in Dubai.

A Filipino man died after he hit a lamppost while riding a hoverboard in Mushrif Park last week, the Dubai Police said on Wednesday.
This is the second hoverboard-related death reported in the UAE, and the first in Dubai. A six-year-old Emirati riding a hoverboard was killed in Abu Dhabi in October last year after he was run over by a car.
Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, head of the Dubai traffic police, said the accident occurred a few days ago when the man lost balance after hitting a lamppost.
He said there have been cases where riders sustained serious injuries after the board stopped
Hoverboard claims another life in UAE suddenly as the batteries died.
"The Traffic Federal Council has banned the use of these boards on public roads for these reasons," he said.

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Malls have also banned them, while airlines do not allow them on board.
In October last year, the video of a Dubai-based man hurtling down a road face-first after losing balance on a speeding hoverboard had gone viral. In the video, the man appeared to be in a lot of pain after the fall.
As reported by Khaleej Times earlier, the use of hoverboards has led to quite a few injuries, with authorities in the country suggesting that on an average a child gets injured every week after falling off them.
In a KT report published on January 6, Dr Mustafa Al Nashar, assistant manager for medical affairs, Saqr Hospital, said, "Hoverboards are causing a significant rise in the number of injuries being reported among youngsters. One or even two patients with fractures are admitted to the emergency section of the hospital on a weekly basis."
Calling for a ban, the doctor said authorities must either ban the use of "these dangerous battery-powered wheels" or force users to wear helmets as well as elbow and knee-pads for protection.
"Most of the cases we receive are of arm and elbow factures after slipping off the self-balancing board," he said. "In many cases, youngsters deny falling off them, claiming they slipped while walking or playing."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai