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

Former Penrith Panthers hooker Masada Iosefa has died following a tragic quad bike accident in rural Darwin.

Masada Iosefa has died in a quad bike accident. Picture: AAP

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.

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.

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.”

The Daily Telegraph