Quad bike accident death a ‘sad lesson’
FAMILY friends of a six-year-old boy who died in a quad biking accident are urging parents to think twice before allowing their children to take up the sport.
The little lad died after being crushed by the machine during a fun day out in Mesaieed a fortnight ago.
His distraught Turkish parents left Qatar shortly after the tragedy – unable to cope with the loss of their only son.
A friend of the family told Gulf Times: “They didn’t want to stay. The memories were just too painful. And I would advise all parents in future that if they allow their children to use these machines they must stick close to them. It is a terribly sad lesson for this family to have learnt.”
The six-year-old boy was fatally injured on May 23 after the quad bike he was riding flipped over and landed on him.
Emergency services rushed to save the youngster, but there was nothing they could do to save him.
Yesterday, businesses operating similar attractions close to the popular Sealine Resort said that his parents had to ultimately take responsibility for his death.
Several Nepalese workers told Gulf Times that they refuse to hire out the bikes to those under the age of 18. However, they are unable to stop adults from permitting children to have a ride.
One operator said: “It is fully the responsibility of the fathers to keep a close eye on their kids. This is the only solution to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy.
“We understand the feelings of the bereaved family, but this is an entire business that constitutes a source of income.”
Quad bikes have become a popular attraction among thrill-seeking beach-goers, who love to race over sand dunes at high speed.
However, the machines are not toys. They are designed for driving across bumpy terrain and are therefore robust, heavy and powerful.
As a result, many operators make customers sign a disclaimer before renting out the vehicles. And this is no exception in Doha.
As a consequence, the Turkish family has no legal claim for compensation, and as the accident happened off-road and involved no other vehicle, there was no formal traffic police investigation.
An Egyptian quad bike operator in Mesaieed, said there was a good police presence during the busy weekends – to deter bikers from venturing onto the main roads and endangering other motorists. He also said that ambulances were available around-the-clock near to the Sealine Resort.
“Although accidents are taking place almost daily, the majority of them are involving riders who bring their personal bikes to enjoy the sport,” he said.
A Traffic Department official said that under the new traffic law bikes over 50cc would be considered as vehicles requiring a driving licence and registration number plate
Was that a Qatari or someone else?
Qatar is only Developing because, it's paying others to build it. the locals don't have a clue.
I have read that Qatari's value Children more than Adults. Why do they still let their kids climb all over the car when they are driving.
I recently saw a little girl, being help up by another adult through the sunroof of the car whilst driving. How sick is that?
D the Explorer, Your quite right there, The little fella that Died, Was their only son.
As sad as is is to read about a six year old child being killed, It is down to the Parents to keep watch over their kids.
You should keep little ones on the level ground, Don't go up the dunes no matter how small.
Very Sad, I feel for him.
More recently and on a brighter note, a work mate of mine had an accident, the bike he was riding, was very poorly maintained, if at all. The front forks collapsed and dug into the sand, throwing him off the bike.
I say its a brighter note bucause, At first it was feared that he had broke his back. This I'm glad to say is not the case, and will be back on his feet in a few weeks.
The bike operator, (down at Sealine) Refused to give his RP back until he paid 1000 QAR to repair the damage to the bike. The police were there, but they sided with the dirty bike operator.
Being white over here does not go in your favor.
Enjoy the dunes, but Take Care.
The police don't even stop kids from riding quads on main roads. It says in the manual of quads they are for off road use only. Qatar is a developing country and until laws are made people have to use common sense and watch out for the safety of their children. You see stupidity every day with children standing in cars, swimming without being watched etc. I think its lazy parents as it takes work to take care of children. Even adults have been fatally injured when these quads roll over them. People have to understand the danger of quads for everyone. I feel for the parents the guilt will eat them alive.
azilana7037
be careful next time and i hope ur oky.
im sad for all this bad news bcoz of motorcycles
So sorry for the family but was'nt it too late to learn?
I guess such incidents should be put on front page of newspapers, Hoardings on the main roads, in Shopping malls entrances,or wherever people assemble.
I guess such incidents go un noticed and others are not getting scared enough to stop this from happening.
Also every weekends I see these real young kids driving the 4W drives on Wakra road, Messaieed and other happening places like city centres.
Wish God enlightens their parents soon before any mishaps.
GUmby is right. Stupid parents. Thats not a toy for a six year old. Another preventable death.
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Oh, well they won't be that irresponsible next time........
"It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid."
- George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
And yes, those bikes are strong and heavy no matter how small and manageable those bikes appears to be.
As I tried them once before without any PPE's (personal protection equipments i.e. helmet, elbow/knee pads), the little accident I got left some part of my body sore for a week and i got bruise marks/shallow scars on my legs, shin and face to remind me that "SAFETY COMES FIRST".
But an uncharperoned 6-year old child??? What the...????
Even with the close supervision of parents, accidents could occur...
http://www.qatarliving.com/group/ql-kairali
YOU DONT KNOW ME, DONT EVEN TRY !!!
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In Filipino we have a saying "Ang pagsisisi ay laging nasa huli." - loosely translated as: "Regret is always at the end."
We should all be aware of the consequences of our action.
We cannot transfer the responsibility of looking out for the safety of our children to these rent-a-bike (or similar) businesses. They will always be looking out more to get our money than the safety of the public. So even if it is heart-wrenching for us parents to say no to our children, we must be always firm for their sake.
I think there should be areas in which these quad bikes are allowed and not everywhere. They should not be allowed near the beach to let people enjoy the beach.
One of a QL lady had posted a picture of this accident some time back
that time even she was not sure who was involved
so sad
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hello
i feel sad for this
im a quad bikes biker and i had many accidents before
i learnt that safty clothes so important
coz once before i just broke my nose
coz i didnt wear helmet
and if i wear it that wouldnt happen
its a dangerous sport if ppl use it in wrong way
now adays i dont have bike n dont wanna bye one
need rest from problems.
for the kids under 18 there are different types of bikes
for their age and ppl must be careful in this point
25 cc, 50 cc , 80 cc 4 the kids under 18
and they must stay with them and let thim wear safety clo
tace care and becareful u all
peace :(
I'm sorry, but how f**c**ng stupid were the parents? Good example of why I belive there should be a test for parenthood. Example questions would include:
1. Should your toddler stand on the front seat of your car while it is in motion?
2. Allowing your 9 or 10 year old daughter in a black abaya to walk along the edge of the unlit road to the supermarket. Good idea or bad?
3. Letting small children ride quad bikes with no helmets is generally considered to be criminal negligence. Discuss.
not a toy. And I believe the parent shall be held responsible to control / ensure that their child know how to do it, warn them the consequences from driving it, limit the biking location (should be within the visibility of the parents), provide them with the safety gear (though I believe, the roll bar was not available for quad here in Qatar), etc...etc...
I remember that my friend told me that, the son of his brother crushed by this kind of bike during hauling it back to the trailer, and it flipped over and crushed the boy. It is, actually, just a simple condition, and nobody predict it will flipped over during climbing to the trailer. But it happened and the consequences is so fatal or may be death.
As a quad lover, I advise that the parent shall not only accepting the whimper of their children to play with this "toy", but think also for the safety of our children. A lot of signs on the road before reaching the sealine were installed, to remind us the consequences of the ignorant with this "toy".
i felt so sorry for the parents...but quadbike is not for children...this accident could have been prevented...
I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it. ~Charles Schulz
We had an employee who two months ago had a similar accident, he is over 30and not to mention one of his relatives died in a fatel accident with the same. These bikes are dangerous and many youngsters have died because of this. If the bike flips over and land on the person it is almost imminent death. The bikes nearly always hit the head of the driver not to mention the broken bones.
I find it gross negligance from leasing agents:-
1) leasing the bikes without a helmut
2) not informing people of the dangers of a fall.
only sorry for the inocent son which lost his life so useless....
At six years old i was on a bicylce with stabalisers with my father watching like a hawk...up and down Weston Super Mare sea front.....
on a Quad Bike.......... for crying out loud-at6!
poor little boy
sorry,but thats for me an absolute NO GO!!!!Never ever...
there are other possibilities for a 6 year old child to have fun...
oki,only my meaning...
I'm so sorry for the parents :(
Better safe than sorry. The regulations should be very tight IMO.
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May the little one rest in peace..
Parents have to take responsibility.. I only allowed my kids to go on quads with anti-roll bars..
Funnily enough, the UK is the other extreme.. too much safety.
I went on holiday to Wales and the kids wanted to go on a quad ride..
There were so many rules and safety guidelines that there was no enjoyment.
this is really sad...
and very sad....
i myself had a near miss from serious injury last time when i was riding that quad....too dangerous for a kid of 6 years.....
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If you look at what you do not have in life;
You don't have anything.
If you look at what you have in life;
You have everything.
people have to see, those bikes are not toys!!!!!!
got to say, those dunes are steep and the bikes far too fast for a young person to control.
A tragic end to such a young life, my thoughts are with the parents
Really Sad.....