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NRL 2021: Former Penrith and Wests Tigers player Masada Iosefa dies in quad bike accident

Tributes are flowing for ex-Panther and Wests Tigers hooker Masada Iosefa after he was killed in a quad bike accident in the Northern Territory.

Masada Iosefa.
Masada Iosefa.

The rugby league world is in mourning following the shock passing of former NRL player and Samoan international Masada Iosefa.

The former Panthers and Wests Tigers player has been described as “tough as nails” by his teammates. Tragically, Iosefa would have celebrated his 33rd birthday on Tuesday.

Iosefa died in a quad bike crash in the Darwin rural area on Monday.

According to NT News, NT Police said initial investigations indicate a man on a quad bike had failed to negotiate a bend on McKinley Rd, Herbert, around 9pm on Monday before colliding with a guard rail and rolling the bike.

Masada Iosefa died in a quad bike crash.
Masada Iosefa died in a quad bike crash.

A passer-by came across the accident scene and alerted police and emergency services who responded to the incident.

St John Ambulance Territory duty manager Craig Garraway said ambulance officers were called to the scene of the accident about 9pm last night.

“Paramedics and police arrived and, unfortunately, they found the male already passed away,” Mr Garraway said.

Iosefa scored eight tries in 43 appearances for the Panthers between 2008-11 before moving to the Tigers in 2012 to feature in 14 matches.

He represented Samoa on four occasions.

Frank Pritchard’s tribute to Masada Iosefa on Instagram.
Frank Pritchard’s tribute to Masada Iosefa on Instagram.

Former Penrith teammate Frank Pritchard took to social media to offer an emotional tribute.

“Always went hard without any preservation for his body,” Pritchard said.

“Never took a step back to any situation. Always had my back from the get-go.”

Police will now prepare a report for the coroner.

Former Test prop and ex-Tigers teammate Aaron Woods added: “Gone too soon. RIP legend. One of the most solid blokes I played with.”

Cronulla captain and former Panther Wade Graham wrote on Instagram: “Rest easy brother.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Former Penrith and Wests Tigers player Masada Iosefa dies in quad bike accident

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2021-former-penrith-and-wests-tigers-player-masada-iosefa-dies-in-quad-bike-accident/news-story/50c7b04c3a44bd25bbac084b09d5a5d8