A man in his 90s narrowly escaped tragedy when his mobility scooter went over a clifftop at The Needles and plummeted 400ft onto the rocks below.
Emergency services were called to the scene close to the Needles Old Battery around 16:00 last Wednesday (28th June), including teams from HM Coastguard based at The Needles and Ventnor.
Eyewitnesses have described how the man’s mobility scooter raced towards the cliff edge but that luckily the man was able to jump clear before the mobility scooter careered over the edge of the chalky cliff.
Members of the public rushed to his aid before dialling 999.
Paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service arrived to check over the elderly gentleman, who escaped with minor injuries.
Police were also called over concerns for his welfare.
People really do need to do some kind of proficiency course on these thing’s and have a medical to say they are fit to drive one…
More likely something on the scooter broke.
Don’t judge all scooter users on one case.
I didn’t judge that one very old man. Just made a legit comment. What this is for, yes?
Mobility scooters do develop faults I had the throttle lever jam on mine and i ended up smashing into a wall to stop…..so please judge until full facts are there
Shocking how a 97 year old could be left on his own.
Glad he is ok
Not all 97 year olds are like children. John B. Goodenough at 100 years old was still leading the world in battery technology and worked up to his death last month ( just two weeks ago)
He lives independently and doesn’t need to be wet nursed that is why he was on his own
Thank god he doesn’t drive a car
Could this have been attempted suicide? Seems strange that Eyewitnesses have described how the man’s mobility scooter raced towards the cliff edge…
So why did he jump off then?
Changed his mind?
I expect he could have bottled out, and changed his mind….I do hope he will be OK though…
Many of these scooters use the motor as the brake. They don’t have separate brakes. They also have leavers that will disconnect the motor so they can freewheel. Too many easy reasons for a scooter to fail like this.
Glad the man okay.
Was the vehicle recovered or left as debris?
Why do you want to go and recover it for yourself?
What a waste of time
A bit like yourself!!!
Kev,are you always this unpleasant? You will be old one day!
Glad he is ok,safe and well
Last of the great stunt-men. Glad he bailed out OK, home in time for tea and medals.
Always wondered what happened to The Fall Guy
Still on the pot Johnathan