Scots farmer crushed to death by cow while feeding calf in tragic accident
A farmer died after suffering fatal injuries when he was crushed by a cow while feeding its calf.
Fraser Johnstone, 83, had spent his entire life working Balnuran Farm on Culloden Road, Inverness, where he was born and raised. But on June 3 last year, the experienced stockman was feeding colostrum milk to a calf when the cow suddenly turned on him.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) heard the breeding cow pinned the grandfather against a wall before knocking him to the ground and trampling his chest and body.
Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, he managed to crawl outside, haul himself onto his quad bike and ride back to the farmhouse.
Bleeding from the mouth and clutching his chest, he arrived home around 4pm, where his wife of 51 years, Margaret, rushed to his aid. She told the inquiry that her husband, still able to speak, described how the animal had 'pinned him against the wall, thrown him to the ground and trampled him.'
Mrs Johnstone called their son who raised the alarm. Paramedics arrived within 20 minutes and took Mr Johnstone to Raigmore Hospital, where scans revealed multiple rib fractures, a broken sternum and heart damage. However, over the next two days his condition deteriorated and he suffered heart and kidney failure.
He remained in intensive care until the early hours of 7 June, when life support was withdrawn.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald, who oversaw the FAI at Inverness Sheriff Court, said Mr Johnstone had been an experienced cattleman fully aware of the risks of working with breeding cows. She concluded there were no precautions he could have taken to prevent the tragedy.
The Health and Safety Executive reviewed the death but chose not to carry out a formal investigation, noting that the dangers posed by protective cows are a well-recognised hazard of farming.
In her written determination, issued just after the first anniversary of Mr Johnstone's death, Sheriff Macdonald said: 'This was a tragic accident for which I extend my condolences to Mr Johnstone's family for their loss. I am conscious that this determination is being issued at a painful time for them.'
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Mr Johnstone had farmed Balnuran all his life, taking over from his father as a young man. Even at 83, he was the sole operator of the holding, still rising early each morning to care for his cattle. He was survived by his wife Greta, two children and nine grandchildren.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "We note the Sheriff's Determination.
'The Procurator Fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Mr Johnstone's death were provided at the mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry.
'The Determination has been provided to Mr Johnstone's family and our thoughts are with them at this time.'
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