Farm helper dies in 100ft tractor fall
A MAN helping a farmer catch up with a massive backlog of work was killed when his tractor plunged nearly 100ft into a ravine.
Alistair Irving had been night-ploughing on High Drummore Farm near the Mull of Galloway in Wigtownshire.
Mechanic Mr Irving, 37, from Leswalt, near Stranraer, had been helping out because the worst snowstorms in living memory three weeks ago had prevented farmers working on the land.
He had been ploughing overnight when the accident happened. It is thought either the ground gave way or the tractor slipped over the edge and plunged nearly 100ft into a glen.
The accident was not discovered until Mr Irving failed to return home early on Saturday morning.
It’s a tragic accident but shows the dangers of working through the night
The tractor was completely wrecked in the accident and it is believed that Mr Irving may have been trapped in the wreckage.
One local farmer said: “It’s a tragic accident but shows the dangers of working through the night. Many farmers are working late at night just now trying to catch up on the ploughing and planting of seed.”
Police Scotland said a joint investigation into the accident is being carried out with the Health and Safety Executive.
