NSW Ambulance has reiterated safety appeals as part of a quad bike national safety campaign after attending two incidents involving quad bikes over the Easter weekend.
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Duty Operations Manager (Central West) Daniel Kearney said the safety message could not be overemphasised, particularly for farmers operating in rural and remote locations.
"I've been to three or four deaths in the past 10 years where it's been the case that farmers have not been expected home until the end of the day so they've laid there undiscovered for hours," he said.
"We've turned up and the patient has obviously been deceased for a long time. Had it been known immediately after it happened, we might have been able to do something."
Weekend incidents included a rollover in Hargraves, in the state's mid-west, on Saturday, April 19.
A 50-year-old man was treated for a fractured collarbone and abrasions before being airlifted to Orange Health Service General Hospital in a stable condition.
On Monday paramedics were called a property in Glen Innes, to assist a 42-year-old man who was injured after a quad bike rolled over him. He was treated for rib and shoulder injuries and airlifted to Armidale Hospital in a serious condition.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a national campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of quad bikes, revealing that, nationwide, there had been five quad bike-related deaths so far this year, and 60 deaths between 2011 and 2013.
Consumer research of 125 recreational users found one in six users rarely wore protective gear such as helmets, while a quarter carried passengers, despite most of these vehicles being designed to carry only one person.
Safety tips included ensuring a person was properly trained before riding a quad bike, observing the manufacturer's safety warnings and avoiding tough terrain.
Insp Daniel Kearney said quad bikes were a dangerous vehicle if not used correctly.
"We regularly see people falling from quad bikes who aren't wearing helmets,'' he said.
"I think people think they've got four wheels instead of two, so they see the bike as a driving vehicle rather than something they ride, and therefore don't really think about wearing a helmet.''
"The other main issue is the weight. They're so heavy that if they roll over, people can't free themselves."
Insp Kearney said people could improve their safety by firstly following the ACCC's recommendations, together with several other proactive decisions, such as carrying a means of communication.
"People should carry mobile phones with them so they are able to raise the alarm. If there's no reception, I've seen a couple of the larger properties set themselves up with UHF and CB radio so
they have linked communication with the homestead.
"Also, before setting out, people should indicate a general idea of where they will be on their property. This is especially the case if they're dealing with several thousand acres - it's a fairly big area to have to try and locate someone."
Insp Kearney also reiterated the ACCC's concerns about allowing children to ride quad bikes, particularly during the Easter break when they were outdoors, looking for recreation.
Safety tips included never letting children ride quad bikes meant for adults and never allowing children as passengers on quad bikes.