Two people suffer serious injuries in quad bike incident near Gympie

Two people suffer serious injuries in quad bike incident near Gympie

Two people have been seriously injured after a quad bike rolled down a slope near Gympie on Sunday afternoon, leaving both riders with life-threatening injuries requiring helicopter transport to hospital.

A male in his 50s and a female in her 60s were riding the quad bike in Woolooga when they tumbled 2 metres down a slope into a stream bed at around 5:30pm.

Emergency Response and Treatment

Paramedics provided initial treatment on-site under difficult conditions before transferring both riders to an open area suitable for helicopter rescue access.

The woman was in a critical state when airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, suffering multiple injuries. The man sustained serious harm to his head and chest and was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital, also in a critical state.

Quad Bike Safety Remains a Persistent Concern

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of serious quad bike crashes across Australia and New Zealand. Similar events highlight ongoing risks tied to terrain, rollover potential and rider preparedness on these vehicles.

Related coverage includes a case where a Victorian farmer succumbed to injuries sustained in a separate quad bike incident, underscoring how quickly routine rural tasks can turn fatal.

Elsewhere, a rider was flown to hospital with serious injuries after a Southland quad bike crash, while another report detailed a quad bike rollover that injured two people in Tasman, closely mirroring Sunday's outcome near Gympie.

Strengthening Workplace and Rural Safety Practices

Organisations operating quad bikes on farms, worksites or rural properties should maintain robust reporting and monitoring systems. A comprehensive Incident Register helps track near misses and hazards before they escalate into serious harm.

Pairing this with a clear Incident Reporting Policy ensures workers understand reporting obligations following any accident involving mobile plant or vehicles.

Businesses should also consider structured incident management processes and supporting documentation, such as an Injuries Report Form, to record circumstances accurately for future prevention efforts.

This article was first published here.