Family hit by second motorbike tragedy

Blake Fowlie, pictured in February 2005, was described by school staff as a happy student. Photo / Supplied

An 11-year-old boy who died after a trail bike crash on the open road was part of a family who witnessed a tragic quadbike accident two months ago.

Blake Fowlie, who was killed after turning his bike into the path of a 4WD in Paeroa, was related to James and Fiona Fowlie, who watched a 6-year-old girl die at their motocross track in Huntly in December.

James Fowlie, owner of the Thundercross Valley Bike Park, said the news of Blake's death had made a terrible last year worse.

Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in September found 16 children were killed and 216 hospitalised in quadbike crashes between 2000 and 2006.

Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said people had to ensure the way was clear before coming out of a driveway on to a road or highway.

"It's a tragedy but, when I think back, we have had a hell of a lot of accidents around the Waikato involving kids getting out of driveways," he said.

Blake loved animals, and had several prizes to his name for best calf at local agriculture shows.

He was a student at Tirohia School near Paeroa, where staff described him as a "friendly, happy, caring student".

Principal Mike Friis said his loss was devastating to the rural school, which has a roll of 92.

"We're one big family here and when you lose a section of that family it really hurts," Mr Friis said.

"He was a neat kid, a real nice guy."

Mr Friis delivered cards and flowers on behalf of the school to the family's address yesterday.

Waikato Serious Crash Unit reported that the boy had been riding a 100cc trail bike on a stretch of Rotokohu Road which had a 100km/h speed limit. He was hit by the 4WD while turning into his family's property.

He was rushed to Waikato Hospital with severe internal injuries, multiple fractures and abrasions. Heavy traffic from a nearby motorcycle street race competition meant ambulances struggled to reach the boy quickly.

He was airlifted to Auckland's Starship hospital where he died yesterday morning.

His parents were too distraught to speak to the Herald last night.

Amber Taylor Vincent died in December when her quadbike's brakes failed and the vehicle rolled on top of her at the Fowlie's 300 hectare off-road park.

Despite efforts from competitive motocross rider Nick Fowlie to revive her, she did not recover from head injuries.

The accident renewed calls for legislation relating to young children riding quadbikes.

The Government responded by saying that quadbike safety on private land was not its responsibility and that there were no plans for a minimum riding age.