TV farmer Derek Roan died after 1,200lb cow with calf attacked him on Dalbeattie farm

A fatal accident inquiry has concluded that an attack by a cow that had recently given birth to a calf caused the death of a farmer on his own land in Dumfries and Galloway.

Derek Roan, 71, was rushed to hospital after an accident at Barnbarroch Farm near Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway, in June last year.

The farmer, who had featured in a documentary on the BBC, died in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary after being injured by one of his own cows.

He had tried to move the 550kg (1,200lbs) Galloway beef cow with her calf back to the main herd after they had become separated when the attack occurred.

Mr Roan died of severe chest trauma after the accident.

Sheriff Joanna McDonald concluded there were no precautions that could have been reasonably taken which would avoid Mr Roan’s death.

She added that there were no defects in any system of working which contributed to the death.

Mr Roan was described as “an experienced stockman” and the risks associated with cattle handling would have been “well known” to him.

He had been born on the farm and had lived and worked there his entire life, running it in partnership with his wife and two sons.

The cow, along with her calf, had become separated from the herd a few days prior to the June 19, 2022 incident due to suckling issues with the calf, who was approximately a week old at the time.

At 4pm that day, Mr Roan’s son saw his father’s quad bike in a field with indicators on and assumed he was working nearby.

About half an hour later he found Mr Roan lying on his side with injuries to his face and an ambulance was called.

He was rushed to hospital but later died at Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary.

The hearing was told that his injuries were so severe, it would not have significantly improved his chance of survival had he been found any sooner.

Mr Roan’s son told the inquiry that it was his view was that the cow had felt threatened and attacked his father.

In her determination Sheriff McDonald said Mr Roan had been a “respected member of the farming community both locally and nationally” and she extended her condolences to his family.