Farmer, 78, trampled by cow was 'tragic' death - sheriff

A 78-year-old farmer's death after being trampled by a cow on an Aberdeenshire farm was a "tragic accident", a sheriff has said.

Gordon Chalmers, of Thriepland Farm, Boyndie, died in hospital two days after the incident in October 2024.

He had been sorting cows into groups in a shed in preparation for keeping them indoors for the winter.

After a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI), Sheriff Robert McDonald determined that a gate, separating the farmer from the animals, would have been a reasonable precaution that might have prevented the accident.

The farmer was working in a cow shed along with his wife, his son, and one of their employees sorting cows into groups.

They were down to the last two cows when there was a "rumbling or roaring sound" from where Chalmers was working and he was found on the ground.

He suffered significant crush injuries and was airlifted by helicopter to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary .

The sheriff said: "It is clear from the witness statements that Mr Chalmers was a gentleman who knew his business and had his own preferred way of doing things, which he would not change.

"I agree with the Crown submission that it was therefore a matter of Mr Chalmers' preferred way of working rather than any defect in a system of work."

The sheriff did not make any recommendations.

"I would wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of the late Mr Chalmers for their sad loss as a result of this tragic accident," he added.