A father of three has tragically died in a freak accident involving an electric skateboard just weeks before Christmas.
Luke Verrell from New South Wales in Australia, died on November 26 - a day after falling from an electric skateboard in Umina, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Verrell, 45, was riding his high-speed, battery-powered skateboard to meet friends for dinner around 6:00PM on November 25 when he fell.
The board is capable of reaching speeds of up to 60km/h and Verrell was reportedly not equipped with a helmet at the time of the incident.
Suffering severe head injuries, he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Authorities have since seized the skateboard, which had recently been repaired after a previous malfunction.
Described as a devoted father to three children - Dylan, 25, Beau, 10, and Jemma, 6 - Verrell’s passing has left a deep void in the lives of his loved ones.
His younger brother, Jimmy Verrell, remembered Luke as a generous man who was deeply protective of his children.
“We grew up skating, and it was a different time back then,” Jimmy told Daily Mail Australia. “He wouldn’t let his kids get on a board without a helmet, knee pads, and wrist pads.”
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Jimmy recalled his brother’s fearless spirit, saying: “During my childhood, there was maybe only two years where he wasn’t bandaged up or injured.
The number of times we’ve had calls that Luke is in hospital having fallen off something, and then he just checks out, usually on crutches or a plaster on his arm - and he is fine.”
Initially, the family was not overly alarmed when they heard about the accident, assuming it would be another case of Luke bouncing back.
“Me and his son Dylan were joking on the way to the hospital, saying, ‘Watch out, he’ll be at the pub again by the weekend,’” Jimmy said.
But the gravity of the situation became clear upon arrival: “Reality hit like a ton of bricks.”
Verrell’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and support from the community.
“There were more than 30 people in the hospital waiting room,” Jimmy said. “Luke touched so many people. The number of messages I’ve received since has blown me away.”
Even local taxi drivers reached out to express their condolences. “It’s honestly unbelievable the amount of mates that guy had,” Jimmy added.
Jimmy and his older brother Mark are now reflecting on ways to honor Luke’s legacy, particularly for his children.
“Luke was like a father figure. He led by example, had the best manners, was kind and protective,” Jimmy said. “We are going to be there for the kids in every way that we can to teach them the same values that Luke taught us.”
As electric skateboards grow in popularity, particularly during the holiday season, Jimmy is urging riders to prioritize safety.
“They go just as fast whether you have a kid on them or a big man,” he said. “Everyone needs to wear a helmet. It’s just not worth the risk, even for short distances.”
Jimmy noted that Luke’s board had recently been repaired after a malfunction and cautioned against underestimating their potential dangers.
Our thoughts go out to Verrell's family and loved ones at this time.