Death of man entangled in farm machinery in Invergordon to be investigated in Fatal Accident Inquiry

The death of a man who suffered multiple injuries after an accident in a farm workshop is to be investigated in a Fatal Accident Inquiry.

Kenneth Begg, 50, died in April 2021, after the incident in a workshop at Auchintoul Farm in Invergordon.

The father-of-two, from Easter Ross, suffered multiple injuries after becoming entangled in a horizontal boring machine.

On Tuesday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into his death.

The incident, which occurred on April 15, 2021, will be analysed to determine whether any precautions could have been taken and could potentially have led to the death being avoided.

A preliminary hearing is set for December 8 at Tain Sheriff Court.

The Inquiry is scheduled to be held on February 27 and 28, 2024.

The FAI includes determining the cause of death and, unlike criminal proceedings, the probe is only used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.      

The inquiry will consider any precautions which could be been taken and could potentially have led to the death being avoided.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: “The death of Kenneth Begg occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.   

“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.     

“Mr Begg’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”  