Fatal accident inquiry to examine six farm fall deaths

Photo shows black and white cows inside pens in a farmshed. They are lining next to each other in a row and nibbling hay outside of the pen. The one cow at the forefront looks directly at the camera. They have a largely black coat and black eyes.

Some of the deaths involved cow sheds

The deaths of six men who fell from height at farms across Scotland are to be the focus of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI).

Two of the deaths were in Aberdeenshire and the others were in Stirling, Mull, the Borders and East Ayrshire.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has now started the process for an FAI, the aim of which is to raise awareness of possible issues when working at height.

A preliminary hearing will be held on 19 November at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

The men who died in the accidents were aged between 36 and 75.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said the deaths of the men happened in the course of their employment.

"Their tragic deaths are a sad reminder of the danger of working at height," he said.

"It is my hope that this FAI will raise awareness on safe practices when working at height."

He added: "The families will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress."

Farm fall from height deaths 2020-24

  • Charles Emslie, 71, owned and ran a farm in Insch, Aberdeenshire. He died on 7 September 2024 after falling through a grain store skylight.

  • Colin Gibson, 62, was self-employed and worked in property maintenance. He died on 12 April 2022 after he fell through the roof of a cow shed he was repairing on 7 October 2020 in Peterhead.

  • Alan Brisbane, 60, owned and ran A and K Farming in Stirling. He died on 18 September 2023 after falling while working alone in a barn on 15 September 2023.

  • Hugh MacPhail, 75, owned and ran a farm on Mull. He died on 6 July 2023 after falling through the roof of a sheep shed he was repairing.

  • Dale Pattinson, 36, was the sole director of DWP Roofing and Cladding Ltd. He died on 26 August 2023 after falling through a cattle shed skylight on Bassendean Farm in the Borders on 25 August 2023.

  • James Smith, 74, owned and ran a farm in Stewarton in East Ayrshire. He died on 22 August 2024 after falling through a cow shed roof.

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