A sheriff has concluded that the death of an Aberdeenshire farmer at a Finzean farm in November 2024 resulted from an "everyday lapse of judgement" that had catastrophic consequences for the family. The fatal accident inquiry heard that 43-year-old Robert Ean McLeod was fatally injured on 16 November 2024 and died two days later at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
What happened at Ennochie Farm
The incident took place at Ennochie Farm, near Banchory. A metal cattle ring feeder was in use while a bale of hay was being lowered from a tractor operated by Mr McLeod's father. The bale struck the side of the ring feeder, causing the opposite side to flip upwards. Mr McLeod, who was standing near the feeder and opposite the front of the tractor, was struck on the head.
- Date of accident: 16 November 2024
- Date of death: 18 November 2024
- Location: Ennochie Farm, Finzean (near Banchory)
- Injury: Traumatic brain injury described at inquiry as unsurvivable
Inquiry findings and judicial remarks
The inquiry, held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, recorded that no defects were found in the equipment or working systems which directly contributed to the accident. Sheriff Ian Wallace said that, while there was no fault in machinery, greater care could have been exercised when placing the bale into the feeder and that Mr McLeod might have been at a safer distance while the bale was being lowered.
"It was an understandable and everyday lapse of judgement which had cruel and catastrophic consequences for Robert McLeod and his family."
Witness evidence presented at the inquiry described a close working relationship between Mr McLeod and his father, with both seen regularly working together on the family farm. The sheriff noted that the accident could have been avoided had different positioning or additional caution been observed during the bale-handling operation.
Local implications
The ruling highlights the risks associated with routine farm tasks and the narrow margin between a common working action and a fatal outcome. Farming communities across Aberdeenshire, where combined use of tractors, bale-handling machinery and ring feeders is common, may look to the findings as a prompt to review practices around positioning and communication when moving bales into feeders.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Robert Ean McLeod, 43 |
| Location | Ennochie Farm, Finzean (near Banchory) |
| Incident | Bale struck ring feeder; opposite side flipped and hit Mr McLeod |
| Outcome | Fatal traumatic brain injury; death on 18 November 2024 |
| Inquiry conclusion | No equipment defects; accident avoidable with greater care |
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of clear safety protocols on farms and the potentially devastating impact of small errors during everyday tasks. Local farmers and those working with livestock and feed equipment are likely to consider the inquiry's findings when reviewing on-farm safety and supervision arrangements.
