New Zealand / Transport

Fatality prompts Coroner to recommend review of skateboard injuries

17:04 pm on 1 March 2022

A Coroner has recommended that a review of data around skateboard injuries be undertaken by the Ministry of Transport.

The Coroner's review recommendation comes after a 25-year-old died in a skateboarding accident in 2018. Photo: 123RF

Tania Tetitaha has issued her findings over the death of a man in Auckland in January 2018.

Pitiphong Sangsirichat, known as Peter, died after a fall from a skateboard after jumping from a building onto a skate ramp.

The 25-year-old wasn't wearing a helmet and died from head injuries.

The Coroner wants the Ministry of Transport to consider law changes regarding the wearing of helmets while skateboarding.

She also wants Auckland Council to consider a design standard for skate parks that prevents or restricts ramps being placed close to buildings that could be used as a take-off point.