Scots teen dies in New Zealand quad bike accident

Robbie Mckenzie, who tragically died in an accident on his family's farm in New Zealand. Picture: Facebook

Robert McKenzie was helping his father milk cows on the farm in Opononi when the machine overturned, pinning him in a drain.

The 14-year-old, originally from East Lothian, was found by his father Callum, who used a truck to move the quad bike off his son.

He tried to resuscitate Robert before taking him to a nearby medical centre that turned out to be shut. Paramedics arrived on the scene but could not resuscitate the teenager.

Robbie and his family left Scotland for New Zealand four years ago, buying the dairy farm in New Zealand’s Far North District.

Robbie’s brother Donald wrote on Facebook: “Thank you for all the support and messages you have all sent. It’s very helpful.” Robbie’s mother, Felicity, brother Eoghan and sister Flora are believed to have been visiting his older brother Donald in Scotland when the tragedy occurred last week.

A friend of the family said the quad bike seemed to have flipped over, trapping Robbie underneath and possibly causing him to drown.

He added: “He was helping milk the cows because he knew it was costing his parents a lot of money to send him to school, so he was doing his best to contribute. He went down to get the cows and never came back. Callum found the bike upside down in the drain – he couldn’t get the bike off him.”

A service was held on Friday last week, and Robbie was buried on the family farm.