Tractor death takes farming fatalities to 22 since April

A person has died after being struck by a tractor on a farm in South Lanarkshire on 30 October, marking the 22nd UK farm fatality since 1 April 2025.

Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), expressed her condolences to the victim’s family and urged everyone working in farming to prioritise safety.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says farm vehicles continue to be a leading cause of death and serious injury in agriculture.

Tractor-related incidents often involve rollovers, collisions, entanglements, or people being ejected from the cab.

See also: Improving farm safety and saving lives

The HSE advises operators to keep people and machinery separate, maintain vehicles, follow safe driving practices, and ensure all users are trained, competent, and medically fit.

Safety experts highlight the importance of Rops (roll-over protective structures), seat belts, and procedures such as “Safe Stop” when leaving the operating position – Stop the engine, Apply handbrake, Fit controls to neutral, and Engage the key to be removed.

Regular vehicle maintenance, proper planning on slopes, and segregating pedestrians from work zones are key measures to reduce risk.

Ongoing safety campaigns

The latest fatality comes amid ongoing efforts by farm safety organisations to raise awareness and provide guidance.

NAAC and other industry bodies continue to urge all farmers and contractors to follow guidance and consider refresher training, particularly during the busy harvest and winter months when accidents are more likely.

Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), said: “In the eight months since 1 April 2025, 22 farmworkers and members of the public – including two children – have lost their lives on farms in England Scotland and Wales.

“Twenty-two families and communities have been changed forever. We cannot allow ourselves to become desensitised to these tragic notifications.

“What is deeply concerning is that, in the full year 2024/25, there were 27 farm deaths – with four months still to go in 2025/26, we could be heading towards one of the worst years on record – and that is not a record anyone wants to hold.”

She added: “As we keep the latest victim’s family and friends in our thoughts, let this be the wake-up call we all need. Every single one of us has a role to play in improving safety and wellbeing in farming – because if not us, then who? And if not now, then when?”

For advice on safe farm vehicle use, visit the HSE’s guidance pages on safe workplace transport and using tractors safely.