Farmer dies after being trapped under tractor

An elderly farmer who was airlifted to hospital following tractor accident has died from his injuries.

John Jameson, a sheep farmer from Ballybregagh, Country Antrim, was pronounced dead at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Friday (4 June).

It is believed that the 79-year-old, who lived on his own, died as a result of crush injuries.

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Mr Jameson had been working in a field in the Dark Hedges area near Armoy on Tuesday (1 June) when he became trapped under his tractor.

According to local reports, he was found unresponsive by his brother on Friday morning – three days after the incident

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said Mr Jameson had been released from the tractor using a telehandler before firefighters arrived at the scene that day.

“Firefighters assisted colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service with transporting the casualty to the air ambulance, which then took the casualty to hospital,” said a fire service spokesman.

“Firefighters then secured the tractor and made the scene safe. The incident was dealt with by 12.30pm.”

Farmed all his life

Causeway Coast and Glens councillor Joan Baird, a cousin of Mr Jameson, told The Belfast Telegraph that he had farmed in the Dark Hedges area for all of his life.

“The family encouraged him over the years to give up the sheep, but it was just his way of life,” said the UUP councillor.

“He just kept the interest going with the sheep.

“Tractors are so treacherous, as is anything to do with farming and machinery nowadays. It’s so risky no matter what age you are.”