Cumbrian farmer died after becoming trapped under overturned quad bike
An inquest has heard David Knipe spent the night trapped beneath his quad bike in freezing temperatures
Last updated 42 minutes ago
A farmer who died after a quad bike accident on his Cumbrian farm died from hypothermia after becoming trapped beneath the vehicle overnight, an inquest has heard.
David Charles Knipe, 65, from Tebay, had been collecting wood on his farm on 5 December 2025 when the accident happened.
The hearing was told he was reversing his quad bike, with a trailer full of wood attached, down a steep slope when it overturned and trapped him underneath.
The coroner said underinflated tyres and uneven ground were also likely to have made the quad bike unstable.
Found the following morning
Mr Knipe spent the night trapped beneath the quad bike in sub-zero temperatures.
He was found the next morning after concerns were raised about him being missing.
He was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital but suffered two cardiac arrests and died later that day.
The inquest heard that although he suffered injuries in the crash, they didn't cause his death.
The coroner said he died from hypothermia.
Accidental death
The coroner concluded Mr Knipe's death was accidental, saying the crash was most likely caused by a combination of reversing down the steep slope with a loaded trailer, underinflated tyres and difficult ground conditions.