At approximately 10.15 hrs on Thursday the 23rd of August 2012, Police were called to a single vehicle ATV crash on Woolnorth Road, approximately four kilometres west of Harcus River Road Junction.

A 21 year old female from Woolnorth was riding an unregistered 2012 model Honda Foreman 500cc ATV west along Woolnorth Road.  She lost control and rolled the vehicle.  The rider was not wearing a helmet and sustained serious head and internal injuries.

As a result of the crash the rider was conveyed to the Smithton Hospital where she remains in a serious condition.  It is likely the rider will be flown to another hospital for further treatment, however further details are not known at this stage.

Tasmanian Ambulance Personnel and Tasmania Police from Smithton, Forensic Services, Traffic Services and Crash Investigation Services attended the scene.

Whilst at the scene another rider on an ATV was observed in the area also not wearing a helmet on and was dealt with by attending Police.

1/C Constable Adam Lloyd of Western District Crash Investigation said, “This was a tragic event that may have been mitigated by the ATV rider wearing a helmet.  It is timely to remind users of ATV’s, particularly in farming and rural environments that there is a requirement to have Recreational Vehicle Registration for ATV’s that are going to be used on public streets and road related areas.”

“From a safety perspective, riders of ATVs should wear helmets at all times and this is reiterated on the rider instruction stickers that are clearly visible on all modern ATV’s.  An ATV being operated on a public street or road related area without being registered or without the rider wearing a helmet, is an offence and the rider can face prosecution for those offences.”

Police would like to speak with any witnesses to the crash and any witnesses are requested to contact 1/C Constable Adam LLOYD at Western District Crash Investigation on 131444.

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