The traffic accident happened around 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday, at the intersection between Saekoja tänav and Salme tänav. 

Emergency police officer Rando Jõemets said the accident involved a van driver abruptly braking sharply to avoid the collision, but the scooter rider, a 49-year-old man, was flung from the electric scooter he was riding, and struck the van's rear wheel.

The scooter rider died from his injuries, at the scene. Based on information provided by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), he was not wearing a helmet. This would have prevented the worst of his head injuries, the PPA says. 

Jõemets calls on everyone to be careful in the traffic: "The PPA reminds you that it is vital to keep your eyes and ears open, as traffic is a dangerous place to ride in. Electric scooter riders should take into account that they need to ride at a speed which does not put every pedestrian and car driver into an unsafe situation. In addition to that, it is recommended that riders wear a helmet, which could potentially save a scooter rider's life." 

Electric scooters are provided for hire by several companies in Estonia. According to regional daily Tartu Postimees (link in Estonian), a spokesperson for Bolt, one of the firms which provide electric scooter rental, said Tuesday it was not yet clear if the scooter involved in the fatal accident had been one of theirs.

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