X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Toddler decapitated by scarf in freak motorcycle accident

7 Dec, 2018
Toddler decapitated by scarf in freak motorcycle accident

Are you aware of motorcycle rules for kids?

Freak accidents on motorbikes are rare, but this unfortunate case is extremely shocking. 

Lorna Stephanie Nueva was returning home on motorcycle with her 19-month-old son from visiting a clinic in Catarman, Samar, the Philippines, close to 50km away from their home in Palapag. Her son was wearing a scarf to shield him from the sun. 

Reportedly, the scarf snagged in the rear wheel of the motorbike, severing the toddler’s head in seconds. The incident happened so fast that no one was able to react in time.

Worse still, this was the second unfortunate incident to happen to the family. Two years ago, Lorna’s eldest daughter drowned in a river where they lived.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway. Reports say the little one’s mother is still in shock over what happened. 

Avoid freak accidents on motorbikes – 5 tips to ride safely with kids

Freak accidents on motorbikes

This is the perfect example of what NOT to do when riding with kids | Source: Pixabay

While freak accidents on motorbikes like the unfortunate case above happen few and far in between, riding a motorcycle is still pretty dangerous. It’s safe to say that motorcyclists and pillion riders are more likely to be caught in a fatal road accident – the only protection is a helmet.

Take the image above. It is the perfect example of what NOT to do when riding a motorcycle with your child. Your child should be wearing a helmet and should be seated behind you. 

Follow these simple precautions from the Singapore Police Force to ride safe with your kids. Take note that Rule 36 of the Singapore Road Traffic Rules, Road Traffic Act Chapter 276, Section 140 states that no person riding a motorcycle shall carry any child below 10 years of age as a pillion passenger.

1. Get a proper kids’ helmet.

No, the extra helmet you have will not do for your child. The oversized helmet will simply come off their head during an accident. Your child should own a proper helmet that fits snugly. It should have a face shield. Also check if the helmet you purchased for yourself and your child conforms to government product safety standards. In Singapore, it should have a label that says “TUV SUD PSB Test”.

2. Buy proper gear

Protection is everything, even if your kid eventually outgrows the motorcycle clothing you bought. Aim for heavy leather or thick denim jackets and heavyweight jeans with heavy duty stitching – this provides some form of protection in case of an accident. Also get a pair of leather gloves to protect their hands from scratches if they fall. Closed footwear is a must. 

Freak accidents on motorbikes

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should fit your child snuggly | Source: Pixabay

3. Don’t seat your child in front

You might think that seating your child in the front protects them. Not only is it illegal, it’s more likely that they will fall off the bike, or make it harder for you to control the motorcycle. Instead, they should be seated behind you, holding onto your waist tightly.

4. Teach them to balance and basic safety

If they have smaller arms and can’t hold on to you, purchase a child’s riding belt. This is a harness that wraps around your kid’s legs, shoulders and waist. It’s actually easy to wear, and difficult for them to remove as the quick release buckles are on their back. Don’t forget to teach them these basic safety tips – they should get on the motorcycle from the left side, be wary of the hot exhaust pipe and make sure their feet are never anywhere near the wheels.

5. Adopt defensive riding

Partner Stories
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort

It goes without saying, but always keep a safe distance from other vehicles, don’t over take a group of vehicles at once, slow down when approaching a bend. Be on the lookout for children and animals, and anticipate pedestrians that might run across the road. Practice the two second rule, give two seconds between braking and completely stopping behind a vehicle. Remember it’s not only your life, but the life of your child that’s at risk when you ride recklessly. 

[Sources: ABS-CBN News, Express, Singapore Police Force]

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Nicholas Yong

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Toddler decapitated by scarf in freak motorcycle accident
Share:
  • 9 Month Old Baby Crawling On The Street: Mum Gets Charged

    9 Month Old Baby Crawling On The Street: Mum Gets Charged

  • Domestic Helper Who Pushed Toddler To Safety To Avoid Road Accident Dies In Hospital

    Domestic Helper Who Pushed Toddler To Safety To Avoid Road Accident Dies In Hospital

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • 9 Month Old Baby Crawling On The Street: Mum Gets Charged

    9 Month Old Baby Crawling On The Street: Mum Gets Charged

  • Domestic Helper Who Pushed Toddler To Safety To Avoid Road Accident Dies In Hospital

    Domestic Helper Who Pushed Toddler To Safety To Avoid Road Accident Dies In Hospital

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.