Demands for crackdown on quad bikes after farmer's son, 9, killed

A NINE-year-old boy has been killed while riding a quad bike on his parents' farm, prompting fresh calls for the law surrounding the vehicles to be tightened.

Robert McAlister died on Sunday evening while driving the high-powered machine at his home on the Isle of Bute.

The Rothesay Primary pupil was using the all-terrain vehicle on Mid Ascog farm when the accident happened at around 6:20pm.

On his page on the social networking site Bebo, the keen footballer, who is a relative of Greenock Morton player, Jim McAlister, said he "loved" living at the 350-acre farm near Rothesay "with the quad".

Rothesay Primary's headteacher said he was "a sporty lad" and was particularly passionate about quad biking.

Wendy Brownlie added: "Everyone associated with Rothesay Primary and Joint Campus will be devastated to hear of this tragedy.

"Robert was a popular boy who will be sadly missed by both pupils and staff. He was a sporty lad and was always up for trying out new challenges.

"He recently took part in national shinty finals and earlier on Sunday had been sailing, which he had only recently started but was very much enjoying.

He was particularly passionate about his quad bike.

"The thoughts of the entire school community are with Robert's family and friends, and we will be doing all we can to support them."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said Robert had been taken to the town's Victoria Hospital. It is thought no-one else was involved in the accident and the youngster was on his own when it happened.

Strathclyde Police said that inquiries were at an early stage.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out and a report sent to the procurator-fiscal.

A spokeswoman for the Health & Safety Executive said it was aware of the incident and is making inquiries.

As the accident took place on a farm, it is classed as a workplace.

It is not against the law for children to ride quad bikes for leisure on private land, but it is illegal for children under 13 to use them for work purposes.

The boy's father, Charles, one of five brothers who farm on Bute, was too upset to speak yesterday. One local farmer, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been a very sad time."

The HSE says that on average, two people die each year in quad bike accidents. There are also estimated to be more than 1,000 serious injuries annually.

Brake, the road safety charity, is campaigning for the introduction of legislation which would restrict quad bike use to older children on certified tracks.

And a spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said yesterday it would be inappropriate to comment on the tragic accident on Bute, but urged parents to ensure their children have adequate training and protective clothing before allowing them to ride quad bikes.

She said: "It isn't illegal for children to ride quads for leisure if they are doing so on private land, but we would encourage parents to seek training for their children, and make sure they are wearing safety gear."

Law on four-wheelers used on private land

THERE is no minimum age for those who ride quad bikes on private land, provided they have the permission of the landowner.

On public roads, however, it is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride the machines.

Drivers, furthermore, must comply with regulations common to road-going vehicles, ensuring they have a licence, and that the machine is registered, taxed, and has an MOT, number plate and lights.

While a farm may be classed as private land, it may also be considered as a workplace, in which case, it would be illegal for a nine-year-old to drive a quad – with a minimum age of 13 the legal limit.

The Health and Safety Executive, which has the power to report to the procurator-fiscal, considers quad bikes used on farms as self-propelled agricultural machines.

The organisation says it is illegal for children under 13 to drive them, or sit as a passenger on board one, if they are carrying out work.

Brake, the road safety charity, is campaigning for the introduction of legislation which would restrict quad bike use to older children on certified tracks.

It is also calling for the introduction of a minimum age for riders, which would be determined following consultation with safety agencies.

In a statement, the organisation said: "The sheer power and speed of them (quad bikes] is dangerous wherever they are used."