The south west has the highest number of farming deaths in the UK during the past year.

What's more, five out of the six deaths were of self-employed, male farmers - while all of the victims were over the age of 50.

The annual Health and Safety Executive report 'Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in Great Britain covers from April 1, 2021 to 31 March 22, 2022.

It shows 25 deaths in the industry across the country - 16 fewer than the previous year.

However, the rate of fatal injuries in farming remains the highest of all major industries - 21 times higher than the average five-year annual rate across all industries.

The year 2020-21 saw five deaths in the south west, the same number as Wales. Yet in the past year in Wales, deaths have reduced to three, while they have risen in the south west.

The region with the second highest number of deaths in the past year is the West Midlands with four.

The most common causes of death in agriculture have not changed for many years and remain the same. The five most common causes of work-related death in farming are:

  • Being struck by a moving vehicle
  • Being struck by an object, such as bales
  • Coming into contact with machinery, during operation or maintenance
  • Falling from height
  • Being crushed or trampled by animals, usually cattle.

Workers aged 65 and older accounted for more than a third of all worker fatalities.

However, in the south west, five of the seven people that died in the last year were in this age bracket.

The causes of death were typical to the rest of the country.

A 69-year-old self-employed farmer was found dead under fallen bales after being missing for a number of days.

A 67-year-old self-employed farmer was killed by crush injuries when he was trapped between a tractor and topper while leaning out of the back window of the tractor.

A 51-year-old self-employed farmer was killed by serious injuries after he fell six metres through a fragile roof and landed on the concrete floor below.

An 85-year-old self-employed farmer was rounding up sheep using an ATV. He got out of the vehicle and was hit by a second ATV being driven by another person that lurched forwards. The farmer was crushed between the two vehicles and died at the scene.

An 85-year-old member of the public was found dead in a field containing cattle. He was found surrounded by the cattle having suffered significant chest injuries.

A 70-year-old self-employed farmer was killed by a cow that he was delivering to market. The cow knocked the farmer to the ground, causing a head injury and subsequent breathing difficulties. The farmer later died.

Sue Thompson, head of agriculture at the Health & Safety Executive, said: “Farming families are left devastated every year when their loved ones are killed.

“The numbers of fatalities this year is lower than last, and we are starting to see improvements in some areas, but the pace of change is slow, and the rate of workplace fatal injury in agriculture remains the highest of any sector.

“Agriculture is a vital part of our economy, and everyone involved is rightly proud of the quality and standard of the food produced.

“But it is not acceptable that agriculture continues to fail to manage risk in the workplace.

"We need everyone to play their part to improve the culture and modify the poor behaviours we see far too frequently. I encourage everyone to do things the right way and have the courage to ‘call out’ poor practices whenever they are seen.

“But it’s regrettable that we’re not yet seeing the widespread changes in attitude towards safety, and the improvements in behaviour that will reduce the numbers of people injured or killed.

“Everyone in agriculture has a role to play in making the changes we all want to see. Together, we can make farming safer.”