Fatal Accident In Agriculture

07/07/2010

A Norfolk farm has been fined £21,000 after 24-year-old man died when he was crushed in a collision between a tractor and a trailer.

In July 2007, Sam Foley, from Newmarket, Suffolk, was towing a trailer at Grange Farm, Snetterton. It crashed into the tractor, crushing him to death.

Timothy and Jonathan Wyatt, owners of Pearn Wyatt & Son, appeared at Norwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches.

The firm was also told to pay £52,000 in costs following the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) case.

According to the HSE, the trailer had not been properly maintained and was unsuitable for transporting solid manure.

The father and son also admitted they did not have a proper system of checks in place that could have revealed a weakness in the machinery.

HSE Inspector Malcolm Crowther said: "Farming is one of the country's most dangerous industries with people often working on their own and in remote locations.

"Making health and safety a priority before heading out each day is so important and takes a relatively small amount of time."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This is yet another fatal accident involving the agricultural industry.  Agriculture is the second most likely industrial sector where a worker is likely to lose his life following a work accident. Those responsible for worker safety need to redouble their efforts if we are not to see more young workers injured or killed following an accident at work in the agricultural industry.”

If you have lost a loved one due to an accident at work, our serious injury compensation solicitors could help you claim compensation to help get the answers you deserve. For more information visit our fatal accident claims or workplace accident claims page.