A small farming company has been fined after a six-year-old fell from a quad bike and was run over by the equipment being towed behind it.
Greystone Holdings was sentenced in the Wellington District Court yesterday and was ordered to pay a fine of $12,000.
A reparation of $15,000 was voluntarily paid into a trust account for the boy.
The incident happened in July 2016, while the boy was visiting the 60 acre farm owned by his grandparents, during the school holidays.
The quad was being driven by the boy's uncle, who was employed on the property.
The six-year-old was taken to hospital by helicopter and suffered a fracture to his right leg, requiring multiple surgeries.
Worksafe spokesperson Simon Humphries said children do not belong on adult sized quad bikes, as riders or passengers.
"It might look like fun and a way to keep the kids amused but the risk of death or injury needs to outweigh the entertainment factor," Mr Humphries said.
Worksafe's investigation found that while Greystone was aware of the dangers associated with quad bikes, they still allowed children to ride on the quad on occasion.
"This was a lucky escape and a reminder to other farm owners, especially families on farms, to think about how their kids are interacting with the farm business and how they can be sure to keep them safe," he said.