Tributes paid to young woman killed in quad bike accident
© Adobe Stock The farming community has paid tribute to a young dairy farmworker who lost her life in a quad bike accident on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway.
The 21-year-old victim, named locally as Sam Bunting, died following the accident at Gerranton Farm, near Castle Douglas, Dumfriesshire, on Wednesday 22 September.
Ms Bunting came off the farm vehicle shortly after 11am and was found by another staff member. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A spokesperson for site operator JR Heuchan and Son said: “She went to look for a cow that hadn’t returned from the field, and never came back.
“A fellow worker found her. It’s a shock. She was incredibly experienced and had worked on farms for years.”
A spokesperson for the dairy farm told the BBC: “We don’t really know what happened at this time and the accident is being investigated.
“She’s worked at the farm for some considerable time and did all sorts of work.
“She was such a lovely person. It’s been a terrible shock for everyone and we are so sorry that this has happened.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We were made aware of a 21-year-old injured after coming off a quad bike on a farm near Castle Douglas shortly after 11.15am on Wednesday 22 September.
“Emergency services attended, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
‘Hardworking, beautiful woman’
Friends paid warm tributes to Ms Bunting on social media.
One described her as “bubbly and outgoing” and another said she was a “hardworking, well-spoken and beautiful” young woman.
Another said: “Sam was a hardworking lady who has gone far too soon. My thoughts are with the whole Bunting family.”