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Warning issued to holidaymakers after quad bike accidents increase

ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, have issued warnings to holidaymakers looking to hire quad bikes abroad this summer.

The association are warning holidaymakers of the risks of hired quadbikes. The activity is popular with tourists with ABTA director Nikki White describing it as a ‘fun’ and ‘memorable’ holiday experience.

One story of a horrific quad bike issued by ABTA includes a 45-year-old woman dying in Ibiza after riding pillion and hitting a stone wall. It is said that she suffered from serious head injuries as she was not wearing a safety helmet.

However, in more recent times, 5 quad bike accidents have occurred in Greece alone since June, all involving tourists.

A more recent case involved a young 18-year-old mad experiencing a fractured skull after an accident on a quad bike. He also lost his sight in one of his eyes.

Director of destinations and sustainability for ABTA, White said “Quad biking can be a fun and memorable holiday experience as part of an off-road excursion with a reputable company. However, it can also be extremely high risk to hire a quad bike as a means of transport to get around resorts and to use on main roads.

They may look easy and fun to drive but the reality is they are powerful vehicles that demand driving expertise and proper protection to be used safely."

From the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Lynda St Cooke, said: “Our consular staff see first-hand the tragic consequences of quad bike accidents - holidaymakers can end up badly injured, and sometimes face huge hospital bills before they can get home. If you think that you might end up hiring a quad bike on holiday, make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for quad bike use. Check the small print - your policy could be invalidated if you don’t wear a helmet. If you are riding a quad bike on the roads, you need to know the local road laws. For travel safety tips and to check the latest travel advice for your destination visit www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo