Farmer crushed by 1,500kg of bales vows to walk again
Hertfordshire arable farmer Will Dickinson is on a recovery mission © NFU A Hertfordshire arable farmer who survived being crushed by 1,500kg of hay bales – the weight of an average male hippopotamus – has shared his remarkable recovery and a vital warning on farm safety.
Will Dickinson, a sixth-generation farmer, suffered 12 rib fractures, eight spinal fractures, and a fractured pelvis on 20 June when three bales toppled onto him as he pulled a securing strap on a trailer at Cross Farm in Harpenden.
Trapped and working alone, he used his mobile phone to call for help before being airlifted to the Royal London Hospital.
Hay bales and the accident scene at Cross Farm, Harpenden © NFU
See also: Heavy bales pose safety risk for farmers
Medics delivered a devastating prognosis, warning Mr Dickinson there was a 75% chance he would never walk again.
“It was a huge shock,” he said. “I went through some very dark periods after the accident. The thought of not being able to walk or care for myself for the rest of my life was devastating.”
After successful surgery on his back and pelvis, however, Mr Dickinson is recovering at home with two metal rods in his back and using a walking frame. Despite the severity of his injuries, he is targeting a return to full fitness by March next year.
Paramedics come to Will Dickinson’s rescue after his farm accident © NFU
Routine task
Reflecting on the routine task, he said: “I was doing a job I’ve done hundreds of times. In hindsight, I should have gone around to check if the bales were safely resting on the trailer.
“Farming can be a very dangerous job, with lots of pressure, often working alone for long hours, but you should never take your safety for granted.
“I feel very lucky and I know things could have turned out a lot worse for me.”
His wife of 33 years, Jan, recalled the terror of rushing to the scene where her husband received a blood transfusion in the field.
She said: “It was really shocking to see Will laying there being treated by paramedics. I could immediately see he had serious injuries.
“He had a blood transfusion in the field, and he was struggling to breathe. Will is so careful, but these accidents can happen to anybody. I urge people to take extra care and prioritise their safety.”
Mrs Dickinson also stressed a critical lesson for agricultural workers. “All farmers should have a mobile phone on them when lone working – if Will hadn’t been able to call for help and be treated quickly, his injuries could have been much worse,” she said.
Farmer Will Dickinson with his wife Jan © NFU
Farm fatalities
The Health and Safety Executive said 29 people were killed in farming accidents across Great Britain in the year to March 2026, alongside roughly 8,000 non-fatal injuries.
NFU Hertfordshire county adviser Freya Samuel-Smith praised Mr Dickinson and his family for sharing their story and helping the NFU to highlight the importance of farm safety.
“It is great to see Will is making good progress in his recovery,” she said. “We encourage everyone to take the time to assess the risks of any job they are doing and remove those risks where they can.
“Our message is clear, one serious injury or death on farm is one too many and no job is worth risking your life for.”
It is not the first time Mr Dickinson has survived a serious farm accident.
In February 2019, he gave his support to a major farm safety campaign after revealing how he was almost crushed while changing a tractor dual wheel, suffering severe nerve damage that temporarily left him without the use of his right arm.