A 76-year-old farmer died after falling from his quad bike while gathering sheep, a Fatal Accident Inquiry has heard.
Charles Ennion was working at Little Glenshee Farm in Perthshire with his grandson Ross when he failed to return home. His wife Wendy contacted Ross, who launched a search and found him injured on a hillside.
Details of the accident
The inquiry at Perth Sheriff Court was told Mr Ennion was an experienced quad driver who regularly changed his vehicles. The quad was found in good repair and well maintained.
Sheriff William Wood ruled the cause of death was traumatic asphyxia and entrapment under the quad bike. Mr Ennion had bruising to his face and head, with signs of impact from the vehicle.
Sheriff Wood described how Ross found his grandfather cold, pale, unresponsive and not breathing. Ross contacted emergency services but could not move the quad bike safely, so returned to the farm to guide them to the scene.
No obvious reason found
The sheriff said no obvious reason for the accident could be assessed. He noted Mr Ennion's experience and knowledge of his land made it unlikely he would have deliberately undertaken a dangerous manoeuvre.
There was no conclusive medical evidence of a cardiac event, and the cause of death was clear.
Sheriff Wood passed his condolences to the family, noting that two further generations were engaged in working the farms, suggesting Mr Ennion was much loved. He added that the task of searching for and finding his grandfather deceased must have been grim for Ross.
