Man dead after quad bike rolls over and traps him underneath in Pirron Yallock

A new farmer has died in a quad bike accident in Victoria’s southwest, just days before Christmas.

The 74-year-old Simpson man was riding a quad bike when it rolled over and he became stuck under the vehicle. Picture: Supplied

A man has died after a quad bike accident at a Tomahawk Creek Rd property in Victoria’s southwest.

The 74-year-old Simpson man was riding a quad bike when it rolled over and he became stuck under the vehicle on Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 10am but could not save him.

A worker from the Pirron Yallock Hotel, who asked not to be named, said the man had only purchased the farm property a few months ago.

Colac Highway Patrol Sergeant Jamie Kahle said it was an incident with “tragic circumstances”.

“The sad part of it is that he is going to work and not going home, and it’s worse this time of the year being so close to Christmas,” he said.

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, quad bikes remain popular on rural properties but have been dubbed the leading cause of accidental deaths and injuries on Australian farms.

“On average, 15 people are killed each year in Australia while using quad bikes,” the authority has stated.

A further 1000 people receive injuries requiring hospital treatment each year from quad bike accidents.

It warned that, despite appearances, they were not all-terrain vehicles and could easily roll over and cause fatal crush injuries, even when ridden by safety-conscious people.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the fatal accident and WorkSafe has confirmed it is investigating the incident.