"Absolutely the biggest regret of my life" is how Rebecca Cronan has described her decision to buy an e-scooter for her 12-year-old daughter, Ruby Kayrooz.
Ruby was riding her new e-scooter unsupervised to Maroochydore State High School on Wednesday morning when she was struck by a car, and trapped underneath it for at least 10 minutes.
She suffered from collapsed lungs, a ruptured spleen, internal bruising and suspected brain damage.
Despite significant injuries, Ruby was brought out of an induced coma on Friday, and her condition has improved from critical to stable.
While an MRI did not show any obvious brain damage, Ruby will require further testing to determine whether there will be any lasting brain injuries.
'Miracle story'
Ruby's mother described her as a "fighter," and with support from her school community, she was recovering much better than anyone expected.
"She's very, very strong, even though she's only 34 kilos," Ms Cronan said.
"She's breathing on her own; she is talking, and she looks like she doesn't even have a broken bone.
"Everyone's baffled. It's the miracle story of the year.
"I think she's going to cartwheel out of here [hospital]."
Ruby Kayrooz enjoyed sports, including gymnastics, Muay Thai and surfing, before she was injured in an e-scooter crash. (Supplied: Rebecca Cronan)
Mum regrets buying scooter
Ms Cronan said she wished she had never bought the scooter, and is determined to warn other parents against making the same "mistake".
"We fought with Ruby for weeks over this scooter, and she cracked us. We gave in," Ms Cronan said.
"Absolutely the biggest regret of my life."
Rebecca Cronan with her son Ryan and daughter Ruby. (Supplied: Rebecca Cronan)
The car's driver, a 21-year-old Maroochydore woman, is assisting police with their investigation.
No-one has been charged.
In Queensland, children under 12 years of age are not permitted to ride e-scooters.
Children aged 12 to 16 can ride under adult supervision, with no licence required.
Those caught breaking the rules may be fined.
Police said no fines had been issued for a lack of supervision in this incident.
Ms Cronan said the incident had changed her views on e-scooters. She now believed the minimum age, even with supervision, should be 16.
"They are dangerous machines," she said.
"There needs to be an inexpensive licence that comes with it, and you've got to do a day course on them.
"They're like giving your kid a motorbike. I wouldn't have bought [Ruby] a motorbike."
Hospital data 'really worrying'
Ruby was admitted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital's (SCUH) intensive care unit less than 24 hours after Sunshine Coast Health released data that revealed a substantial number of e-scooter-related emergency presentations.
In the 12 months to January 2024, SCUH's Emergency Department saw 118 presentations related to e-scooter incidents.
More than half of those injured were under 18.
Sunshine Coast Health sees a high number of e-scooter related emergency presentations. (ABC News: Jonathan Hair)
Emergency physician Dr Andrew Hobbins King said it was concerning to see the number and severity of injuries increasing.
"It's really worrying at the moment, across Queensland, but also here on the Sunshine Coast," he said.
"We're seeing an increasing number of young people affected.
"And we're seeing an increasing variety of injuries.
"The biggest concern for us is the traumatic brain injuries which can occur."
New approach needed
Kidsafe's Queensland CEO Susan Teerds said the data suggested that current e-scooter regulations, such as age limits and mandatory helmets, were "not working," possibly due to a lack of enforcement and public awareness.
Ms Teerds said a "multifaceted approach" involving parents, retailers, schools and community groups was needed to better protect young e-scooter riders.
Age limits for personal mobility devices differ across the country. (ABC News: Kirsten Webster)
"It's people's behaviour we're trying to change, and that's one of the hardest things to do," she said.
"It does come down to parents. The best the parents can do is, when the child is small, to teach them road safety.
"It would be wonderful to see some organisations that voluntarily set up to educate parents and children.
"Potentially, the sellers or the manufacturers of these e-scooters could take it on board to highlight what the rules are, and some safety advice," she said[.[[
Ms Cronan has thanked everyone who supported Ruby's rescue and recovery.
She hopes the incident will reinforce the message that wearing a helmet is "an absolute must".
"That helmet, and the people on the scene – without them, Ruby would be dead," she said.