The BC Coroners’ Service is investigating after an 18-year-old B.C. man died in an incident involving an e-scooter last week, the Kamloops RCMP says.

Police say the man was taken to hospital in critical condition after the incident at Battle Street and Lee Road in Kamloops, shortly before 4 a.m. on Aug. 16.

He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says officers seized the scooter at the scene for further investigation.

“A helmet was not located, suggesting he may not have been wearing one at the time,” Shoihet said.

“There is no evidence to suggest that another vehicle was involved.”

The death comes amid increasing concern about e-scooter safety. Data released earlier this month highlighted how dangerous e-scooters and e-bikes can be for children, with a new Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program report stating 10 kids died across the country from using these electronic devices in 2025, six of them in Ontario.

In June, BC Children’s Hospital trauma medical director Dr. Genevieve Ernst said e-scooter injuries are on the rise.

“In 2024, we saw 37 injuries that came to our [emergency department],” she said.

“In 2025, we saw 81 – more than double.”

Despite B.C.’s minimum riding age of 16, Ernst said more than half of e-scooter-related visits to BC Children’s involve youth between 13 and 15 years old.

“About a third of them have broken bones, lots of abrasions – sometimes very extensive – and concussions. But we’re also seeing severe injuries, including serious brain injuries, where kids need to be admitted, go to critical care, or undergo surgery,” she said.

On Aug. 19, the Burnaby RCMP ran a targeted enforcement campaign for e-scooters and e-bikes, giving out 57 violation tickets that day. Cpl. Mike Kalanj issued a warning for users of the machines, saying improper use is a concerning pattern seen across the region.

“People aren’t getting the message, and not just in Burnaby,” Kalanj said. “The whole Lower Mainland, we have been talking for months now.”

“Strictly educating is not working at this point, because it’s getting worse.”

Kalanj reminds riders to follow the rules.

“You need to be 16, the e-scooter can’t go over 25 km/h, you need to be wearing a helmet, you can’t wear ear buds, and you can’t double up.”

Anyone who witnessed the Kamloops e-scooter incident is asked to call 250-828-3000 and refer to file 2026-27084.

— With files from Kurt Black, Cecilia Hua, and The Canadian Press