Report Summary
31 YOM consumer was riding a powered skateboard, helmeted, on a flat, paved walking trail. The road was free of terrain issues. Skateboard stopped and nosedived and consumer was thrown off. EMS responded. He suffered head trauma, face fractures and is now blind in left eye.
Product Details
- Product Description: Onewheel Pint X, completely stock. No modifications or significant damage.
- Manufacturer/Importer/Private Labeler Name: Future Motion
- Brand Name: Onewheel
- Model Name or Number: Pint X
- Serial Number: 2208335524
- UPC Code:
- SKU#:
- Date Manufactured:
- Retailer: Scheel’s
- Retailer State:
- Purchase Date: 10/1/2022
- Product Category: Sports and Recreation
- Product Type: Cycling, Scooters, Skateboards & Skates
- Product Code: Hoverboards and powered skateboards (5025)
Incident Details
- Incident Description: I was riding my Onewheel on a walking trail when I was ejected, and was transported via ambulance to the ER as I took major damage to my head including vision loss in my left eye. I was wearing a skateboarding helmet, and being intentionally cautious to not push limits as I was still rather new to the sport with only 87 miles ridden.
I have no memory of the accident itself. I took a picture of the Onewheel about 20 minutes prior to the accident, and afterwards, had returned to the walking trail I had already traversed on the Onewheel.
I was riding on a flat, paved path away from car traffic. I didn’t observe any significant terrain issues, bumps, edges, or other obstacles which would have posed a problem for the Onewheel. I was being sure not to push the limits, and was familiar with “pushback” the device generates when it is operating past its limits.
While I do not believe I would have ignored that feedback, I have amnesia of the accident itself. I remember being on a country road, safely getting off the Onewheel, and taking a picture at 5:05 PM of the Onewheel as I was enjoying my ride. My memory ends after getting back on, and riding back towards the walking trail. Between 5:22 and 5:24, I took 4 photos showing my head damaged and covered in blood. I have zero memory of taking these pictures, and not sure exactly when or where the accident happened. Metadata of those photos shows the exact location of the walking trail where they were taken.
I was transported by ambulance to the local ER. My memory resumes in the back of the ambulance, informing the paramedics that I couldn’t see out of my left eye. They claim I had lost consciousness at some point, but didn’t know details of how my accident was reported.
I don’t know a detailed timeline due to memory loss.
The ER informed me I had 4 fractures to my left orbital/sinus, and Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (TON). I was transferred to another hospital at about 2 AM to see specialists. Multiple ophthalmologist have confirmed that this damage is likely to be permanent, and I will never regain vision in my left eye.
The only thing that really makes sense is despite my caution, I somehow experienced a “nosedive”, which Onewheel claims only happens after dramatically ignoring pushback functions. There are no other warnings or indicators thar you’re about to nosedive. I weigh 230 pounds which is within the operating limits the manufacturer reports. The app also documents I have never gone above 16 MPH in the 87 miles it’s logged. Its documented speed limit is 18 MPH.
- Incident Date: 10/29/2022
- Incident Location: Place of Recreation or Sports
Victims Involved
-
- Injury Information: Injury - Emergency Department Treatment Received
- My Relationship to the Victim: Self
- Gender: Male
- Victim's Age When Incident Occurred: 31 years
Comments from the Manufacturer/Private Labeler
Additional Details
- Submitter has product?: Yes
- Product was damaged before incident?: No
- Product was modified before incident?:
- If yes to any, explanation: Only standard wear and tear from being ridden on the street.
- Have you contacted the manufacturer?: No
- If Not, Do you plan to?:
- Report Number: 20221116-85335-2147352608
- Report Date: 11/16/2022
- Sent to Manufacturer/Importer/Private Labeler: 11/18/2022
- Report First Publication Date: 12/5/2022
- Category of Submitter: Consumer
|
