Three farmers dead in spate of accidents
Farming accidents claimed three lives in three days across the UK last week.
Cornish livestock farmer Kelvin Bailey, 67, was struck by a car on Saturday 27 October as he moved cattle across a road between United Downs and Frogpool near St Day. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Bailey farmed at Cusgarne Manor and a statement released by his family said he would be “greatly missed by his wife, relations and many, many friends”.
Neighbouring farmer Greg Pascoe added his tribute to Mr Bailey, describing him as a gentle giant.
“He had wrists twice the size of mine and immense strength. But he was a good guy, with a ready smile and a chuckle. I never heard a cross word from him,” Mr Pascoe said.
On Friday (26 October) Jackie McCooey, a 76-year-old farmer from Dungannon, County Tyrone, died when he fell into cattle feeding machinery.
The incident, took place at about 8pm and marks the tenth farm death in Northern Ireland since April this year.
Tributes to Mr McCooey were led by Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Patsy Daly.
“The community is in complete shock at the death of this father and husband.”
“Jackie was a well-known, hardworking farmer in the area, held in very high esteem in the community as a whole,” said Mr Daly.
A day earlier, in the Scottish Borders, 41-year-old farmer Eric Simpson died at Newhall Farm near Innerleithen. Mr Simpson was killed in a quad bike accident.
Lothian and Borders Police attended after receiving a call at about 9.40am on 25 October.
The Health and Safety Executive and HSE Northern Ireland are conducting investigations into the three incidents.