Unlicensed motorcyclist killed 88-year-old on mobility scooter

Wednesday 20 August 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Wed 20 Aug 2025, 10:41am

In this story Ian Telford

A coroner has found that an unlicensed motorcyclist travelling near twice the speed limit killed 88-year-old Edward Duffy in Rotorua. The collision occurred while Mr Duffy was using a pedestrian crossing on his mobility scooter. The coroner criticised the persistent tolerance for unlicensed driving in New Zealand.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 20 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner: Motorcyclist’s speed a factor in Edward Duffy’s fatal mobility scooter crash (opens in new tab)

2. StuffWed 20 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   ‘Appalling’ driving record: Speeding, unlicensed motorcyclist killed 88-year-old on scooter (opens in new tab)

3. RNZWed 20 Aug 2025, 5:35am

   Elderly man on mobility scooter killed by unlicensed, speeding motorcyclist (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZWed 20 Aug 2025, 7:33am

   Man on mobility scooter killed by unlicensed, speeding motorcyclist (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesWed 20 Aug 2025, 10:41am

   Elderly man on mobility scooter killed by unlicensed biker (opens in new tab)