Elderly farmworker killed in combine harvester accident

An elderly farmworker has been killed in a farm accident involving a combine harvester.

The 71-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in a field in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday afternoon (15 September).

According to reports, the man was seriously injured after he exited the cab of the Claas Tucano 430 combine and was run over by a rear wheel.

Firefighters tried desperately to save the man by giving him oxygen while paramedics treated him.

But he died from his injuries at the scene.

A spokesman for Police Scotland added: “Officers attended a farm in the New Deer area at 3.15pm on Tuesday following reports of a seriously injured man.

“Sadly, the 71-year-old died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”

An NFU Scotland spokeswoman said: “We are saddened to hear of the death of the 71-year-old farm worker in Aberdeenshire yesterday and our thoughts are with his family.

“While our farmers are among the best in the world, farming continues to have one of the poorest safety records of any occupation in the UK and Ireland and all farm accidents are shocking and dreadfully sad.

“The union is continuing its work to improve Scotland’s farm safety record and help to save lives and encourages Scottish farmers and their staff to read the Don’t Leave It To Fate leaflet produced by the Scottish Farm Safety Partnership for some simple tips on how to avoid injury on farms.”