Charlotte Bowden identified as young girl killed in Maroochy River quad bike tragedy

Tragic details have emerged about a Maroochy River quad bike accident which claimed the life of ‘much loved’ Sunshine Coast Grammar School student Charlotte Bowden.

Tragic details have emerged about a Maroochy River quad bike accident which claimed the life of Charlotte Bowden.

The “much-loved” Sunshine Coast Grammar School student died as a result of an accident at a private property on Apps Road about 3.45pm on September 23.

It is understood the school holiday tragedy unfolded while Charlotte was riding a quad bike which crashed into water and she was trapped underneath.

Clayton’s Towing owner Mike Clayton said his staff were called to retrieve Charlotte’s 50cc bike.

Mr Clayton said Charlotte’s 50cc bike had crashed down a three-metre embankment into water and had to be retrieved with a winch.

“There were so many unfortunate circumstances which lead to this one,” Mr Clayton said.

Mr Clayton said any job involving a child was particularly tough for himself and his staff.

He said he would speak to the operators involved.

“On jobs like this you often see things you don’t wish to see, which is part of the job unfortunately,” Mr Clayton said.

“There’s obviously a lot of emotions involved and it’s a different dynamic when you’re actually there.”

The Daily has reached out to the Bowden family.

Tributes have flowed for Charlotte on social media and her family has been offered support from her school.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Maria Woods said the untimely death of a student was felt by all members of the school community.

“We offer our support, prayers and deepest sympathies to a beautiful family grieving the loss of a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, and niece,” Mrs Woods said.

“The school has offered support to the family in a variety of ways and our chapel has been open to parents and students during this difficult time.

“Our school psychologist has also provided some resources to assist parents and carers to engage in conversation with their child.”

Mrs Woods said the heart of the school community was its support and care for one another.

Aerial image over Maroochy River.

“Our primary friendship assembly earlier this week provided a time to acknowledge the many friendships our children form with each other, our connectedness to each other and the importance of looking out for each other particularly in very difficult times,” Mrs Woods said.

It’s understood Charlotte was a prep student at the school.

A Queensland police spokeswoman said the death was being treated as non-suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

It is understood first responders performed CPR for about 30 minutes but she was tragically unable to be saved.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed a child aged under 10 was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition that afternoon.

The spokeswoman said crews were called to a private property at Maroochy River about 3.50pm after reports a quad bike had rolled into water.

She said the girl was taken to hospital with critical care paramedics on board under lights and sirens.

According to quad bike fatality data compiled by Safe Work Australia, as at September 30, there had been six quad bike fatalities in 2021.

It comes after four quad bike deaths were recorded in central Queensland in the past two months, including a 14-year-old boy from Yeppoon.

A six-year-old girl in Gippsland in Victoria was also killed in September after a horror farming accident where a four-seater vehicle rolled on its roof causing her critical injuries.