A 13-year-old boy in Queensland, Australia, has died after crashing a modified e-scooter borrowed from an older friend, days before tough new laws restricting youth e-scooter use took effect. Blayde Pettitt was riding near a McDonald's in Childers, close to Bundaberg, on 26 August when the scooter proved too powerful for him, causing a single-vehicle crash that left him with serious head injuries. He was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane but died four days later, on 30 August. His family and community have paid emotional tribute to him, and his death has intensified scrutiny of e-scooter safety for children.

Blayde was remembered by his family as kind, funny and "wise beyond his years", with his mother saying no parent should have to bury their child; his organs were donated, offering the family some comfort. Friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs, and his school posted tributes describing him as a much-loved member of its Year 8 cohort. Police investigations into the crash continue; it is understood Blayde was wearing a helmet. Queensland's Transport Minister called the death a tragedy, noting it came just before new rules requiring riders to be at least 16 and hold a licence to ride independently, with 12- to 17-year-olds without a learner's licence only permitted to ride under parental supervision and parents facing fines for breaches.