Oldina quad bike fatal: Tyler Evans dead, Kirby-Rose Denby stable

A young “family-man” undertaking a auto-mechanic apprenticeship lost his life, while it’s understood his girlfriend was also hospitalised, following a North-West Tasmania tragedy.

Wivenhoe teen Tyler Evans, 16, who passed away in a quad bike accident on November 5, 2022, at Oldina. Picture: Facebook

A Tasmanian teenager is dead after a quad bike accident in the state’s North-West on Saturday afternoon, while his female passenger remains in hospital in a stable condition.

The ATV accident occurred at Tram Rd, Oldina, about 3pm Saturday, Tasmania Police said.

Both 16 year olds, a boy from Wivenhoe and a girl from Penguin in a relationship, were transported to North-West Regional Hospital in “critical” conditions.

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However, at 6.30am, police announced the Wivenhoe boy, identified as Tyler Evans, had succumbed to his injuries late Saturday night. The condition of the girl, Mr Evans’ girlfriend Ms Denby, had improved and she was now considered to be in a stable condition.

Ms Denby took to social media on Sunday morning to remember her partner, who she called “my angel”.

“It’s so crap I’m never gonna be with him in person again,” she said.

“You’re my angel, love you so much, miss you forever.

“You fought as best as you could, one day we’ll be together again.”

Kirby-Rose Denby with 16-year-old Wivenhoe partner Tyler Evans, who passed away in a quad bike accident at Oldina on November 5, 2022. It's understood Ms Denby was his 16-year-old Penguin passenger, who is in a stable condition. Picture: Facebook

Ms Denby also posted from hospital, where she remained into Sunday.

She said the accident “all happened so fast” and involved a fall of up to three metres. She said she sustained cracked ribs and a broken wrist, at least.

Mr Evans’ dad Scott, meanwhile, simply posted a picture of he and his son, who according to his Facebook profile is an auto mechanic apprentice with Jackson Motor Group, together sitting on a brick wall.

Mr Evans’ childhood friend Taylen Flint told the Mercury she had a lifetime of memories mucking around with Mr Evans in their Somerset/Yolla days.

“We grew up together being little BFFs (best friends forever), but it was more a brother and sister bond that we always wanted but never had in those times,” Ms Rose said.

“He absolutely adored his farming toys as a kid, along with Lego. I remember, when we were kids, we used to jump the back fence – our parents didn’t know – and we’d go down this massive rocky hill, and do roly polys down it, see who could hit the bottom and scare all these ducks first.”

Tyler and Scott Evans. Picture: Facebook

She said Mr Evans and her young son shared a special bond together.

“Tyler was a loving person, a family man with big dreams and was still trying to live his life,” she said.

“He was certainly a character, with his heart on his sleeve.”

Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Kim Stephen said investigators believed the duo were wearing helmets.

He said witnesses had already brought the pair to the main road for transport by ambulance when officers arrived at the scene. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

According to Safe Work Australia figures, seven Australians died in quad bike accidents in the 10 months to October 22. It’s understood the Oldina fatality will be the eighth this year and second in Tasmania.

An 82-year-old Tasmanian woman died on April 22 after rolling her quad bike on Scenic Hill Rd, near Huonville

Between 2017–2021, the figures say there were 64 quad bike fatalities Australia-wide.

“Quad bikes are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Australian farms and are a significant cause of death and injury for recreational users,” says Work Safe Tasmania.

All new quad bikes sold in Australia must now contain an operator protection device (aka roll bar), following the introduction of the Morrison government’s Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019, which took effect on October 11 last year.

However, the new law did not capture second-hand quad bikes.

In an unrelated incident also on Saturday evening, the rider of a powered paraglider required transportation to Royal Hobart Hospital after crashing his craft onto a rural property in the North.

It occurred at Jetsonville, near Scottsdale, about 7.30pm Saturday.

A 51-year-old man suffered serious injuries after the powered paraglider he was flying crashed on private farm land at a rural property.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter attended the scene and transported the man to the Royal Hobart Hospital. No other persons were injured as a result of the crash.

Both the Tasmanian Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association and the Sports Aviation Federation of Australia have been notified of the crash.

Originally published as Oldina quad bike fatal: Tyler Evans dead, Kirby-Rose Denby stable