An Orkney farmer died after his quad bike overturned and landed on top of him, an inquiry has ruled.
Thomas Shearer died in hospital in June 2013, just days after the tragic accident at his Westray farm.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry was held at Kirkwall Sheriff Court following his death and the judgement was published yesterday.
In it, the sheriff paid tribute to the “hard working, experienced, decent, caring” farm workers who are exposed to dangers every day.
Mr Shearer had been using the quad bike while he checked livestock in a field near his home on June 23, 2013.
As he was driving down a slope, the machine’s tyres slipped and Mr Shearer jumped off and landed on his stomach.
The bike then “somersaulted” into the air and landed on the farmer.
Mr Shearer was still conscious when he was found by his wife Enid – and was able to tell her and his neighbours, Marie and Raymond Rendall, what had happened.
He was later taken to Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall, but died on the morning of June 27 from a pulmonary embolism and deep-vein thrombosis.
Sheriff Andrew Berry, presiding, said the accident might have been avoided if the quad bike’s tyre pressures had been regularly maintained to ensure they were at the correct level.
In his judgement, the sheriff said: “As is so often the case, tragedy can strike those engaged in farming and related activities. It can occur at a moment’s notice as in this instance.
“The very essence of farming exposes hard working, experienced, decent, caring people to dangers that do not exist in the daily toil of most people in our communities.
“This includes the use of many and varied vehicles and other equipment as well as exposure to all manner of weather conditions and of course the ever changing combination of both.
“Mr Shearer was tending to his livestock as he would have done on countless occasions, utilising a vehicle that he would safely have used many times without incident.
“It is difficult to imagine the likelihood of the vehicle somersaulting and landing on him after he had jumped off. That however is what happened.
“I offer my sincere condolences to Mr Shearer’s wife and children and to all others touched by this tragedy.”