World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
12-year-old dies after electric scooter crash in Toulon
A 12-year-old boy died in an electric scooter crash in Toulon, in southern France, on Wednesday morning.
He hit a pole on a pavement while he was trying to pass a bus, according to the prosecutor.
The boy was not wearing a helmet, and video showed no contact with the bus or any manoeuvre by its driver that could have obstructed him.
The bus driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Police are still gathering witness accounts to establish the exact circumstances.
His school has opened a psychological support service for students, and a victims’ support group has been asked to help his family.
The death comes amid rising serious injuries and deaths among electric scooter users in France; authorities are working on a national approach to helmet rules.
A 12-year-old boy died after crashing his electric scooter into a pole in Toulon on Wednesday, October 14.
He was reportedly trying to overtake a bus when the crash happened on a sidewalk.
Authorities said surveillance footage showed no contact between the scooter and the bus, and no bus manoeuvre that could have hindered him.
The boy was not wearing a helmet, and an investigation was opened to establish the exact circumstances.
- Who
- A 12-year-old boy from Toulon.
- What
- He died after crashing his electric scooter into a pole.
- When
- Wednesday morning, October 14, 2026, at about 8:45 a.m.
- Where
- Rue Antoine-Groignard, in western Toulon.
- Why
- He reportedly tried to overtake a bus; the exact circumstances are under investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Var firefighters were alerted to the crash.
The boy crashed into a pole on a sidewalk in western Toulon and later died.
A psychological support unit was set up at the boy’s school and was due to remain available through Friday.
- Age
- 12
- Location
- Rue Antoine-Groignard, western Toulon
- Vehicle
- Electric scooter
- Helmet
- The boy was not wearing one
- Firefighters mobilised
- 11
- School
- Collège des Pins d’Alep
3 sources
What people are saying
there was no contact between the scooter and the bus
the bus itself did not make any manoeuvre likely to hinder the scooter