A preliminary hearing of an inquiry into the death of a farmer who was crushed by a hay bale has been set for next month.
Thomas Edgar, 78, owner of the Linton Bankhouse Farm in the Scottish Borders, died in the incident on September 5, 2024.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said on Wednesday it has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death, with a preliminary hearing to take place on May 27 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks said: “The death occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a FAI is mandatory.
“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.
“Mr Edgar’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”
FAIs are inquisitorial in nature and do not seek to attribute blame to any party or individual.
Instead, they aim to determine the cause of death, the circumstances surrounding it, and to determine whether any precautions may be taken going forward in order to prevent similar deaths from occurring in future.
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