A coffee roastery owner has died in a freak accident after falling down a 10 foot bank while using a ride-on mower on his family farm.
Simon James Theaker was mowing the grass at Mill Cottage in Cusop, near Hay-on-Wye, Wales, when the tragedy happened on Tuesday last week.
The 44-year-old, who ran Black Mountain Roast from the farm, was found by his fiancée trapped face down in a river with the mower on top of him when she went outside to water the garden.
Police, firefighters and an air ambulance rushed to the farm but he was confirmed dead at the scene.
Dyfed-Powys Police said in a statement: “We were called to a property in Cusop on Tuesday evening, 19th May 2020, to an accident involving a ride-on lawn mower and its rider, a 44-year-old male.
“Tragically the male died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
An inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday by the Coroner for the South Wales and Central area.
The inquest heard the accident happened at the family farm.
The coroner’s office said in a statement: “At approximately 2pm on Tuesday 19th May, Mr Simon Theaker was at his father’s home at Llangwathan Farm.
“He took the family ride-on lawn mower from the farm to his property a short distance away at Mill Cottage.
“His father could hear the mower for between an hour to two hours, then it went silent.
“At approximately 6pm Mr Theaker’s fiancée returned to the property. She pottered around the house and then went outside to water some plants.
“At around 6.20pm she saw the mower down the bank, on its side in the river. It was approximately a ten-foot drop.
“She then realised that Mr Theaker was underneath the lawn mower, face down in the river.
“She went back to the house and called for assistance. All the emergency services attended the scene and Mr Theaker was pronounced life extinct at 6.52pm.”
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said in a statement: “We were called on 19 May at approximately 18:25 to reports of an incident at an address near Hay-on-Wye.
“We responded with two emergency ambulances, two rapid response vehicles and were also supported by Wales Air Ambulance.”
Simon's parents Ailsa and John said in an online statement: “Simon had a tragic fatal accident when the ride-on-mower fell over a bank and trapped him in the Dingle. The response from his many friends and the community has been overwhelming and comforting to us…
"There will be a small private Humanist ceremony for family and invited friends. Simon will rest in his favourite place on the farm.
"When this current situation eases we will have an open ‘Simon style’ celebration for him... He will be fondly remembered…
"The help of Emergency Services was magnificent. Please send any donation to the Fire Fighters Charity.”
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