THE ONLY positive to come out of the quad bike death of six-year-old girl Myley Maxwell is the hope that recommendations from the NSW deputy coroner stop such tragedies in their tracks.
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The little girl died on a rural property near Narrabri when the quad bike she and a 13-year-old girl were riding collided with a tree.
Myley is one of 11 quad bike fatalities that have took place in 2017, since then another 17 have died.
On Monday the state government launched the second phase of its $2 million safety campaign Quad Bikes Cost Lives.
The recommendations handed down by the coroner would be taken seriously, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said.
"We'll look at those recommendations from the Coroner and put a whole-of-government approach across it," he said.
"What we are saying is that if you own a quad bike you need to seriously think about who's using that machine.
"Are they aware of the dangers that this machine can inflict? Ultimately a life-threatening injury and also death."
Myley Maxwell died of blunt force head trauma, the Coroner's recommendations are that it be made a criminal offence for adults to allow children under 16 to ride adult-sized quad bikes, and without a helmet.
Making it easier for police to enter private property to investigate is another recommendation.
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Representatives from the state government, SafeWork NSW, police and industry will form a group to look at better ways to be safe on quad bikes.
The campaign launched at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and students were given safety demonstrations and tried a virtual reality experience using a quad bike on a farm.
Quad bikes kill and injure more farmers than any other piece of equipment, SafeWork NSW regional director Tony Williams said.
"It's something we need to turn around," he said.
"We want people to move to alternate vehicles, to make themselves safer, to wear safety equipment and look at alternate ways of doing work."
There are rebates available for quad bike owners on helmets, rollover protection systems that sit on the back and drones.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
