Two boys left with broken bones after ute chases them in Ferntree Gully
Two 11-year-olds on an e-scooter were chased by a white ute for around five minutes before crashing.
Stirling Jakubowski and Courtney Nightingale, both 11, were riding an e-scooter around 7.30pm on Sunday in Ferntree Gully when a white ute with at least three people inside started following them. The occupants sprayed the boys with silly string, then the driver swerved at them repeatedly.
The boys tried to escape but the ute chased them down the street for around five minutes before they lost control and crashed. Stirling was injured and talking; Courtney was badly hurt and not moving.
Neighbours heard them screaming. A helmet likely saved one boy's life, a doctor told his father.
Both suffered broken bones and open wounds. Courtney faces skin grafts and plastic surgery.
The driver appeared to be a young girl and fled the scene. Police are investigating.
- Both 11 years old
- Boys' ages
- Around 5 minutes
- Chase duration
- Around 7.30pm on Sunday
- Time of incident
- Ferntree Gully, Melbourne's east
- Location
Why it mattersThe attack on two children highlights a serious gap in road safety and accountability for reckless driving that puts young people at severe risk.
AustraliaTwo Victorian boys have been seriously injured in what police are treating as a crime, raising concerns about youth behaviour and enforcement in suburban Melbourne.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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