VIC farmer killed in quad bike incident

A farmer has died following a quad bike incident in western Victoria, marking another tragic addition to farm safety news across the state.

The 74-year-old man was using the quad bike to herd cattle at Pirron Yallock when the incident happened on Tuesday morning. WorkSafe confirmed it has opened an investigation into the incident.

Details of the Quad Bike Incident

Emergency services attended the scene, but the farmer could not be saved. This incident follows a troubling pattern of quad bike accidents reported in agricultural safety news throughout Victoria in recent years.

Farm vehicles remain among the leading causes of workplace fatalities in rural industries. Similar incidents, such as when a Vic farmer succumbed to injuries sustained in a quad bike incident, highlight ongoing risks tied to quadbike use on Australian farms.

WorkSafe Investigation Underway

WorkSafe has launched a formal investigation to determine what led to the fatal incident. Investigators will assess whether adequate safety measures and access controls were in place at the time.

This latest death adds to growing safety news concerning farm machinery incidents across Victoria. Earlier this year, another VIC farmer was killed in an incident involving a tractor, reinforcing the need for stronger safety protocols on farms.

Quad Bike Safety Remains a National Concern

Quad bike accidents continue to feature heavily in national safety news, with fatalities reported across multiple states. Dairy farmer Brad Collins and former Ross Ray QC was killed in separate quad bike accidents that underscore how quickly routine farm tasks can turn deadly.

Even young Australians are not immune, as seen when a 4-year-old girl was killed in a Queensland quad bike incident, prompting renewed calls for stricter safety standards nationwide.

Improving Farm Safety and Incident Reporting

Effective incident reporting remains critical to preventing future tragedies. Farms across Victoria can strengthen compliance using tools such as the Incident & Hazard Reporting Module for VIC, which supports structured hazard identification and access to timely safety data.

Employers seeking to formalise their processes may also benefit from a documented Incident Reporting Policy, ensuring every incident, near-miss or safety concern gets recorded and reviewed appropriately.

Additionally, resources like the OHS Driver's Manual for Vic provide practical guidance for vehicle operators, including quad bike users, on maintaining safe work practices.

Why Incident Management Matters

Robust incident management systems help businesses identify hazards before they result in injury or death. Explore SafetyDocs' Incident Management checklists, forms and registers to support proactive safety practices on farms and worksites.

As farm safety news continues to highlight the dangers of quad bike use, WorkSafe urges all operators to prioritise training, maintenance and safe access to machinery before undertaking routine agricultural tasks.

Originally published on the WorkSafe Victoria website.