Farmer’s death highlights dangers of working in agriculture, says sheriff
Last updated 30th Oct 2026
The death of a farmer crushed by a hay bale highlights the dangers of working in agriculture, a sheriff has said.
Thomas Edgar died at Linton Bankhead farm near Kelso on September 5th, 2024.
A post-mortem examination found that his cause of death was chest and abdominal injuries.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry was held into the 78-year-old's death to establish the circumstances and consider whether precautions could be taken to prevent similar deaths.
However, while the evidence supported the conclusion that Mr Edgar's injuries were caused by the bale, the exact circumstances of how it happened could not be determined.
The FAI heard how the horses at the farm had run out of haylage, and the farmer would normally use a Merlo telehandler to transport bales from a shed to the stables.
The determination concluded: "It appears that Mr Edgar had commenced the operation of getting haylage. All that is known for certain thereafter is that Mr Edgar was found by Zoe Cowe, who lived nearby at about 1030 hours lying unresponsive on the ground.
"There was a large bale approximately two feet away with cut marks on the plastic covering. In these circumstances it is reasonable to infer that the injuries sustained by Mr Edgar were caused by the bale.
"No fault was found with the telehandler. All present did all they could to help."
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The sheriff made no recommendations under section 26 of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016.
He also thanked those involved in the inquiry for their constructive approach, noting that the process had been a distressing exercise for Mr Edgar’s family.
"Mr Edgar was crushed by a large hay bale, but it is a matter of speculation how that occurred," the ruling read.
"Given the mechanism of the accident cannot be determined the court cannot make any recommendations in terms of the said sub-sections.
"Sadly, this inquiry is yet another example of how dangerous the farming environment is."
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