Inquiry into fatal Westray accident

A fatal accident inquiry has ruled that a Westray farmer died after his quad bike “somersaulted” and landed on top of him.

Thomas Shearer died in the Balfour hospital on June 27, 2013, three days after the accident.

Sheriff Andrew Berry said the accident could have been avoided had the quad bike’s tyre pressures been regularly checked.

Offering his condolences to Mr Shearer’s wife and children, he also stated: “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.”