By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:49 BST, 29 September 2025 | Updated: 10:52 BST, 30 September 2025
A 17-year-old youth who 'rented' an Uber Eats licence was killed when he sped off from police and crashed.Leonardo Machado was too young to be a food delivery driver but earned money by illegally getting the licence.A coroner has now issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report after being told that Lenardo had been at a red light in Poole, Dorset, in April 2023 when approached by police in the early hours.But he made off at speed on his 600cc sports bike with an Uber Eats delivery box attached on the rear but lost control and crashed into railings and suffered fatal wounds to his head and neck.Dorset coroner Brendan Allen has sent his report to Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo about rental licences being handed to youngsters under 18.He said children are working alone at night delivering to private individuals placing them in vulnerable positions.The report read: 'There is significant national concern about the 'rental' of food delivery licences to under 18s. 'In general terms, food delivery platforms place age restrictions on those who can obtain a licence to deliver food. 'However, there appears to be no oversight of the rental of these licences to those under the age limit. 'This places children in a vulnerable position: lone working, often at night, riding electric or motorised scooters, mopeds or motorcycles and delivering to individuals that are not known to the drivers.' A 17 year old youth who 'rented' an Uber Eats licence was killed when he sped off from police and crashed (stock)And he said they are using motorbikes or cycles which increases the risk of injury or death in road accidents.Leonardo was not licensed to ride the bike he was riding.The coroner said there is no or limited oversight of renting food delivery licences to under-18s, adding 'urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action'.The companies have 56 days to issue a response to his report.An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of this incident and stand ready to support law enforcement with further investigation. The safety of couriers, customers and community is of the utmost importance to us and we have introduced industry-leading technology to ensure only the account holder and registered substitutes are using any Uber Eats courier account.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This was a deeply regrettable incident, and our thoughts remain with Leo's family and friends at this time.'This government has taken firm action to tackle illegal working and is working closely with industry partners to ensure that only registered account holders can access the platforms.'
