FAI to be held into death of farm worker, 64, who died after being crushed by hay bale at Kippen farm

The family of a farm worker, who died after being crushed by a bale in Stirling, hope a fatal accident inquiry will bring them closure and help them “move on with peace”.

Alistair Blair died on November 4, 2024, in a farm storage shed filled with hay bales in Kippen.

The 64-year-old grandad is thought to have been completing a task in the shed when he was crushed.

Graham’s, a household milk brand, will now be probed for any potential failings that contributed to Mr Blair’s death.

Family left with ‘unanswered questions’

Mr Blair’s devastated daughter Lisa said: “Dad was an honest, hard-working family man who did everything he could to provide for his family.

“Ever since he died, we have been at a total loss – not just with grief but in struggling to process and accept any facts because there are still so many unanswered questions about what happened.

“We therefore hope the FAI will help reveal how he died so we can finally get a degree of closure and be able to move on with peace.

Alistair Blair and his daughter Lisa Family handout

“And just maybe it might also help keep other farm workers safe so that other families don’t have to go through what we have over the last two years.”

Details surrounding the circumstances that led to Mr Blair’s death have not been revealed; however, he was understood to have been struck by hay bales that toppled over.

A single bale was estimated to weigh 250kg.

The dad-of-two and grandfather-of-two was found by a colleague who attempted CPR, but it was not successful.

Mr Blair’s death certificate later stated his cause of death was blunt force trauma to the chest and “crushed by a hay bale”.

It is understood that bosses at Graham’s The Family Dairy paid for Mr Blair’s funeral.

FAI to be held into grandad’s death

Police investigated the fatal work accident alongside the Health and Safety Executive, and the findings were provided to the Crown.

A health and safety prosecution against the farm was ruled out, but the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will hold a mandatory FAI to identify any failings in the hope of making farm processes safer.

The first hearing of the FAI is due to be held on December 11, 2026.

Mairi Day, partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, who is supporting the Blair family, said: “What happened to Mr Blair was a truly tragic and avoidable occurrence.

“Legal investigations are at an early stage so there is little which can be discussed at this time but we will continue to support the Blair family as they seek to uncover the truth about what happened.”

Graham’s has been contacted for comment.