Gran left in coma with life-changing injuries after e-bike rider's vile hit and run

These are the gruesome facial injuries a grandmother suffered after an e-bike rider careered into her - and drove off.

Margaret Scaldwell spent weeks in a coma, suffered a broken spine, pelvis, arms, and 19 broken ribs in the sickening crash. Police say it is a miracle the 70-year-old woman, who is now unable to feed herself as a result of her injuries, survived the horror, which happened as she crossed the road in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Distressing CCTV footage captured the driver, 21-year-old Kian Monks, smash into Ms Scaldwell, who hit her head on the pavement following the impact. Monks, a former Wigan Athletic youth footballer, was yesterday sentenced to two years and three months in prison after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, driving with no licence or insurance.

But Ms Scaldwell, who also had to have all of her teeth replaced following the crash, is now calling on the government to strengthen the law around e-bikes. Following the sentencing at Bolton Crown Court, the pensioner said: "I still can't believe this happened, especially just near my house. I sometimes think it is a dream but then I wake up and am in pain and I realise this is reality. I was enjoying my retirement when everything changed in an instant.

"The daily pain now I endure is excruciating and never ending. These riders need to have a deterrent and at the minute there is none. So the government has to act. There are so many things that I can no longer do."

READ MORE: Middleton e-bike crash: Boy, 15, killed in horror smash was a 'top, top lad'

In the moments before the crash, Monks had hit speeds of 40mph in a 30mph zone on the off-road Talaria Sting e-bike which had its speed limiter disconnected. He was riding the bike alongside Joel Pilling, 22, who has also been handed a 22-month prison sentence which has been suspended for two years, for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, and driving with no licence or Insurance.

But Ms Scaldwell, whose daughter is now her full-time carer, insisted she "will not let them (Monks and Pilling) beat me" in a defiant vow after the sentencing.

Ms Scaldwell continued: "These men's selfishness have ruined my life. Before the collision I was an independent lady and always had a smile on my face.

"Now my life is dehumanising, reduced to a long list of hospital appointments with no end in sight and I can no longer walk wash or feed myself. No sentence will bring back my health. But I will not let them beat me as I am determined to recover the best I can."

Video footage played in court shows members of the public chase and detain Monks, while Pilling handed himself in to police later in the day - August 1, 2023.

Monks, from Wigan, can be seen with blood pouring down his face, pleading his innocence saying: "I wasn't driving, it wasn't me. I've hit my head. I've hurt my head and my jaw."

Detective Constable Steve Pennington, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: "This was a shocking incident where two individuals recklessly rode an e-bike through one of Wigan's busiest areas with complete disregard for public safety.

"Their dangerous driving resulted in a horrific collision with a grandmother who was simply crossing the road. She suffered life-changing injuries and spent weeks in a coma - it's nothing short of miraculous that she survived.

"This incident highlights the severe consequences of operating e-bikes illegally on our roads. These aren't toys - they're powerful vehicles that require proper licensing, safety equipment, and responsible handling.

"Riding without these essentials isn't just breaking the law, it's putting lives at risk. At GMP we're committed to reducing serious and fatal collisions across our region.

"We actively support national road safety initiatives like the Fatal 4 campaign, targeting the four main causes of serious road incidents: speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts, and driving under the influence. Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and the consequences of ignoring this can be truly catastrophic."

The Talaria Sting off-road bike is marketed at a cost of £3,795 and is considered a motor vehicle under the law, requiring an insurance and licence to use on-road. The vehicle has a top speed of 47 mph with a range of 63 miles.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Dangerous cycling is completely unacceptable, and the safety of our roads is a key priority for this Government.

"That's why the Government is proposing new offences and penalties for dangerous cycling, updating legislation that is over 160 years old, to ensure that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full force of the law."