Farmer died after being trapped under quad bike

A 76-year-old Perthshire farmer died after being trapped under a quad bike, a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) has concluded.

Charles Thomas Ennion was found under the vehicle hours after he failed to return home at Little Glenshee Farm, about 12 miles (19km) from Perth, in August 2024.

Sheriff William Wood ruled that he died from traumatic asphyxia after becoming trapped under the quad bike.

The sheriff made no findings or recommendations and extended his condolences to the farmer's family.

The FAI, which is carried out by law following a death in the workplace, was held at Perth Sheriff Court this month.

The sheriff noted that as the death was not witnessed it was not possible to ascertain whether the farmer lost control of the vehicle or whether there was any mechanical failure.

He said it was not possible to determine if Ennion had suffered a cardiac event due to his underlying cardiovascular disease whilst driving which resulted in the vehicle overturning and trapping him.

The inquiry was told that Ennion was a very experienced farmer and quad bike user.

He had been working herding sheep with his grandson and a contractor.

He was last seen by them at about 19:30 but when he had not arrived home by the next morning, his grandson went to search for him.

The farmer was subsequently discovered on his back, with the bike tipped onto its right hand side.

The inquiry heard that he was "cold to the touch, pale, unresponsive and not breathing."

His grandson was unable to lift the quad bike and he returned to the farm to help guide emergency services.

Sheriff Wood said: "It is a matter of conjecture beyond the ability of this court to surmise what the purpose of Mr Ennion's trip on the old cart track might have been, or how he came to be pinned under the quad bike.

"In light of his experience in the use of quad bikes, and his knowledge of his land, it seems unlikely that he would have deliberately undertaken a dangerous manoeuvre that led to the quad bike rolling and coming to rest on his head and chest.

"There is no conclusive medical evidence of a cardiac event, and the cause of death is clear."