The community has been left in shock following the tragic death of 21-year-old, Tyler Pashen, from Julatten, who is being remembered as a young man full of potential, who lived life to the fullest.

Mr Pashen and two friends were travelling on an ATV buggy on Quaid Road on the Tablelands, about seven kilometres east of the Mulligan Highway, when the vehicle rolled on Saturday afternoon.

Mareeba police Acting Inspector Greg Giles said loose rocks had caused the vehicle to go down an embankment.

“The AVT has hit a rock and rolled and the man has been caught under the ATV and suffered fatal injuries,” he said.

The other two in the vehicle were taken to Mareeba Hospital with minor injuries.

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Mr Pashen was in his final year of a diesel fitter apprenticeship, working at Oakdare Holdings in Mossman.

A spokesperson for Oakdare said he was a "good kid with a lot of potential".

“This very capable young 21-year-old man was part of our working family coming after school as a lackey and gaining an apprenticeship with us to fulfil his passion to work with trucks and machinery,” the company said in a statement.

“Mate, you took life by the horns and truly did live it to its fullest potential in a very short time, bending and twisting our hearts along the way.

“Taken too soon, it's time now for us at Oakdare to give our condolences to your family and friends.

“Thank you Tyler, you will forever be in the hearts of many, past and present, at Oakdare.”

Tributes have flown across social media since the news broke over the weekend, with friends describing him as someone who lit up a room, a great mate taken too soon, and a caring and loving soul.

Acting Inspector Giles said the Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the accident and urged motorists to take care when using ATVs.

“People need to be aware of how dangerous they can be, with the way ATVs and quad bikes can easily roll.

“This year alone we have seen a number of accidents involving quad bikes. People need to be careful especially on uneven surfaces,” he said.

Acting Inspector Giles said Quaid Road is a private road that is used often by ATV and bike riders.