Disturbing 999 call released after gran mowed down by e-bike as she crossed road

A harrowing 999 call has captured the terrifying moment a grandmother was found lying in the road drenched in blood after being ploughed down by a rogue e-bike rider in a busy street.

Margaret Scaldwell, who is in her 60s, was savagely thrown into the air and left with life-threatening injuries after being struck by the electric bike as she crossed Orrell Road, Wigan, on August 1, 2023.

Behind the handlebars was former Wigan Athleticyouth footballer Kian Monks, 22, who was riding tandem with another man the same age. But instead of stopping to help the gravely injured gran, the pair fled the scene, leaving Margaret to fight for her life in the middle of the road.

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Bolton Crown Court heard a chilling 999 call from the scene, where a panicked woman can be heard telling emergency services: “She’s in the middle of the road. She’s just been knocked over. Her head is like, open. There’s blood everywhere. She is breathing.”

When asked if Margaret was conscious, the caller replies in horror: “No, she’s not… Her face is flat down on the road. It was two lads on a motorbike that have knocked her. It’s not good. You’re probably going to need to send the police as well because the lads have run off.”

Shocking images from the aftermath were not released, but the court heard how Margaret suffered devastating injuries, including shattered bones in both arms, a compound fracture to her left leg, multiple broken ribs and severe facial trauma after her head hit the pavement, the MEN reports.

The two e-bike yobs didn’t stop and witnesses described how Monks, who was also covered in blood, tried to escape but was chased down and detained by heroic members of the public. His accomplice ran off, but later handed himself in to police.

On Wednesday, the court heard how Monks, of The Avenue, Wigan, was jailed for two years and three months. He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance, failing to stop, failing to report the collision, and refusing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Detective Constable Steve Pennington from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit slammed the “reckless and dangerous” actions of the pair.

He said: “This was a shocking incident where two individuals rode an e-bike through one of Wigan’s busiest areas with no regard for anyone’s safety. Margaret was simply crossing the road and has been left with life-changing injuries. She spent weeks in a coma – it's a miracle she survived.

“This should be a wake-up call. These aren’t toys – they’re powerful machines that need to be treated with care. Riding illegally, without a licence, helmet, or insurance, puts lives at risk. And that risk became a terrifying reality for Margaret.”

Margaret continues her long road to recovery, while Monks begins his time behind bars.