Tractor run planned in memory of tragic young farmer

Friends of a popular dad of two, who died tragically in a farming accident, have organised a tractor fundraising event to celebrate his life.

The special event, in memory Nick Jones, 26, will see more than 100 tractors drive from Llanilid Farm in Pencoed to Keepers Lodge Farm, Pontyclun – the two farms where he worked.

See also: Young farmworker killed in machinery accident

Wayne Griffiths, farm manager at Llanilid Farm, who is organising the tractor run, said: “Nick was a great personality. He was one in a million.

“He was more than a worker, he was like part of the family, like a brother to me.

“He was a tremendous kid. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

“You could ring him up in the middle of the morning if you were having trouble calving and he would be there in a flash.

“He loved the two farms and his two boys. They were his life. We are missing him terribly.”

All money raised from the tractor run on Sunday 20 September will be placed in a trust fund for Mr Jones’ two sons.

Mr Jones lived with his partner and two sons, aged three and five, in the Bridgend area of south Wales.

Avid Liverpool Football Club fan Mr Jones was an experienced farmer who had worked on farms since he was 13.

He had been employed full-time across both farms in Pencoed and Pontyclun for the four years.

On the morning of 23 May this year, he had been working alone silaging in a field at Keepers Lodge Farm.

A problem arose with a Keenan mixer wagon he had been using and he fell into the machine and was killed.

Mr Griffiths’ brother-in-law, Ian Lewis, realised something was wrong when he spotted a wellington boot belonging to Mr Jones on top of the feeder wagon.

He found Mr Jones’ body inside the mixer and dialed 999. Police and ambulance crews rushed to the farm, but they could not save him. Sadly, he died at the scene from multiple injuries.

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The Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation, and the findings of a coroner’s report into Mr Jones’ death are due to be published next month.

His family is said to be too distraught to comment on the tragedy.

Mr Griffiths said Mr Jones was a careful worker who always thought about safety when farming.

“Nick grew up on the farm. He was a knowledgable chap,” he added. “He was the type of person you only had to show something to once.

“His death was a tragic accident. It has come as a tremendous shock to the whole farming community.

“Everybody who knew him is devastated. I do not think I will ever get over it.”

For further information on the tractor run, or to make a donation, contact Wayne Griffiths on 07866 495 064.