A teenager has been left with head injuries after rolling his ATV on a beach in Tasmania’s north this afternoon.
The 16-year-old rolled the ATV on Beechford Beach, north east of George Town, shortly after 3:30pm on Sunday.
According to Police, initial investigations have confirmed that the teenager was driving the ATV with a 24-year-old male passenger on the back.
Paramedics treated the passenger at the scene, while the teen was taken to the Launceston General Hospital.
First Class Constable Braden Green from George Town Police Station urged anyone who witnessed the yellow ATV at or near East Beach or Bellingham Beach to contact them.
“Accidents involving ATV’s are mostly avoidable however injuries can be serious and police are requesting members of the public to operate them in a safe manner,” Green said.
To “educate” riders and to “ensure compliance”, police plan to ramp up patrols of beaches and reserve land during the upcoming summer months.
“Beaches in Tasmania are regarded as reserved land and the use of vehicles/motorcycles are generally prohibited,” Police say.
“Where motor vehicles are permitted on beaches, road rules and registration/licensing requirements apply.”
It remains unclear whether the teenager had permission to ride in the area at the time.
