A family is in mourning after a tragic quad bike incident claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl outside of Perth.
The bike was being driven by a 34-year-old man along a track in Langford Park, Jarrahdale about 5pm on Saturday when it rolled.
The girl, who was a passenger, was “thrown from the bike”, sustaining serious injuries.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save the child, who died from her injuries.
The driver was taken to Armadale Hospital with minor injuries.
Western Australia Premier Rodger Cook paid his respects following the “awful” tragedy.
Mr Cook also flagged potential changes to quad bike regulations across the state, reminding community members the bikes needed to be treated with “a great deal of respect and care”.
“The hearts of all West Australians go out to this girl’s family and the little girl herself,” he said.
“It’s a dreadful tragedy and must have been horrible for those who were on the scene and horrible for the family.”
In 2021 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) implemented mandatory safety standards on quad bike use.
The standard requires all general use model quad bikes have an operator protection device.
It is not yet known whether the bike involved in Saturday’s incident had the safety feature.
Police have urged anyone with mobile or dashcam footage of the incident to upload footage online.
Anyone with information or who saw the bike being ridden in the time leading up to the crash has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.