Ashley Graham Mason of AG & HC Mason fruit orchard has been identified as the quad bike victim

A popular Adelaide Hills fruit grower has been identified as the victim of Friday’s horrific quad bike crash – the second such incident in SA in a week.

A prominent fruit grower and beloved grandfather has been identified as the 92-year-old quad bike victim.

Ashley Graham Mason died on Saturday morning after a quad bike crash in the Adelaide Hills on Friday night.

Emergency services responded to the incident on the private property on Masons Rd, Forest Range on Friday night about 9pm.

Mr Mason was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, however he died on Saturday morning from sustained injuries.

Mr Mason was a prominent fruit grower in the community.

His family runs AG & HC Mason – which has been producing apple varieties like Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji and more – for six generations across their 21.9 hectare of land.

Ashley Mason during his time working on the orchard maintained somewhat of a traditional approach in growing the trees and preferred to do as much as possible by hand.

And although the orchard had participated in export programs, they have remained committed to diversifying themselves within the Australian market.

Mr Mason’s death has caused an outpouring of support from the local community as friends and growers rallied around Mr Mason’s wife, children and grandchildren.

The Advertiser observed multiple people visiting Mr Mason’s house to pay their respects.

The AG & HC Mason orchard is now run by Mr Mason’s son Noel and his two cousins Stephen and Graham.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Fruit Producers SA Grant Piggott has shared his sadness at losing such a well-known member of the community.

Mr Piggot said the apple and pear community will miss such a devoted member of their tight-knitted circle.

“Ashley was a highly respected member of the Adelaide Hills and a stalwart of the apple industry,” Mr Piggott told The Advertiser.

“His family operate one of the best orchards in the state.

“Our members are saddened by this news and express their condolences to his family.”

Apple Grower Ashley Mason at the Mason's Forest Range Property.

Adelaide Hills apple growers The Mason Family of Forest Range (l-r) Stephen, dog Sooty, Harleigh, Edward, Noel, Alison, Graham and Ashley.

The Advertiser has reached out to AG & HC Mason but they have declined to make a comment.

A report will be prepared for the State Coroner.

It comes after a 50-year-old Hackham man died last week after a quad bike accident on March 30.

The passenger, a 39-year-old Pennington man was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for his injuries.

A SafeWork SA spokesperson said it was looking into whether the accident was workplace related.

“Quad bikes are a leading cause of worker injury and death in the agriculture industry, particularly in workplace settings such as farms,” the spokesperson said.

“These accidents are not limited to workplaces but also occur in recreational settings.

“SafeWork SA is making enquires to determine whether workplace factors were a cause in the accident in the Adelaide Hills.”