Perthshire farmer died after being pinned and crushed by quad bike while out sheep herding

A farmer died after being crushed under a quad bike after a crash, an inquiry has found.

Charles Ennion was found severely injured in a field at Little Glenshee Farm near Perth in August 2024.

He had been out gathering sheep alongside his grandson, using a quad bike as transport.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry at Perth Sheriff Court heard how a search was launched after the 76-year-old failed to return home from his farm tasks the evening before.

The next day, his grandson, Ross, found him pinned under his quad bike, with bruising to his face and injuries consistent with a crash.

Sheriff William Wood noted in his findings that Mr Ennion was a “very experienced” quad bike rider and that it was “unlikely he would have deliberately undertaken a dangerous manoeuvre”, which would have led to the crash.

Mr Ennion was found on the head of Moulin Farm Hill, with his feet pointing downhill and the front tyre resting on the left side of his face.

Sheriff Wood remarked that Mr Ennion was “cold to the touch, pale, unresponsive and not breathing”.

Emergency services were called, and the farmer was pronounced dead a short time later.

Following a forensic examination, the official cause of death was noted as traumatic asphyxia and entrapment under a vehicle (quad bike).

Mr Ennion did suffer from heart problems and had been fitted with a pacemaker, but Sheriff Wood could not be certain that this may have contributed to the crash.

He said: “As the death was not witnessed, it is not possible to ascertain whether Mr Ennion lost control of the vehicle or whether there was any mechanical failure or whether he had suffered from a cardiac arrhythmia or an ischaemic event due to his underlying cardiovascular disease whilst driving, which has resulted in the vehicle being overturned and causing him to be trapped underneath.

“It was also possible that entrapment under the vehicle and the resulting asphyxia could have terminally exacerbated his underlying cardiac disease due to a reduced physiological reserve.

“There is no conclusive medical evidence of a cardiac event, and the cause of death is clear.”

Sheriff Wood made no findings and gave his condolences to Mr Ennion’s family.