A BOY, 12, has reportedly been injured in a quad bike accident at Cessnock.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service spokesman said the chopper was headed to the area shortly before midday on Thursday.
The circumstances of the incident remain unclear.
It comescomes just hours after the federal government announced new rules for quad bikes would be rolled out.
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar on Thursday declared that the law would change given an estimated six people a day present to emergency hospital departments and an average of 16 people per year are killed in quad bike accidents.
"Quad bikes are the leading cause of fatalities in Australia of all consumer products that aren't regulated," Mr Sukkar said.
"This safety standard aims to address the high risk of rollovers, which is especially important for many of our farmers and their families who use these vehicles daily."
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission welcomed the law changes, which require that all new quads within 12 months have information affixed to them about the degree of slope they can handle before rolling.
Within two years, they will have to conform to minimum standards for stability on sloping surfaces.
"These changes are an important step in improving the safety of quad bikes, and we look forward to working with farmers, manufacturers and retailers, to implement the standard," ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said.
Thursday's Cessnock call-out comes after a 40-year-old man was flown from Millfield, south-west of Cessnock, to the John Hunter on Thursday night after suffering a head injury in a fall.
The man was in a stable condition.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.
IN THE NEWS