Following young boy’s death, more calls to make longboarding safer

VANCOUVER – The death of 11-year-old Dustin Mackenzie thrust the issue of longboarding safety into the spotlight.

In late May, Dustin was out longboarding with his friends and his cousin when he fell and hit his head on the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet at the time.

Dustin was transported to BC Children’s Hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries a few days later.

Since his death there have been numerous calls to make the sport safer or to ban it outright in some communities.

However, the sport has not lost its appeal.

West Vancouver Police have expressed concern about longboarders in their community, and one officer was caught on camera saying he was tired of dealing with them.

The Vancouver Park Board says if you cannot stop kids from doing it, then you have to teach them how to do it safely.

It is holding a free clinic today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park.

We will be updating this story following the clinic.