Inquiry into death of two north-east farmers crushed by hay bales begins

An inquiry into the death of two Scottish farmers who were crushed to death by hay bales is set to begin.

George Andrew Stephen, a self-employed farmer from Keith, was struck by a hay bale at Shalloc Farm on November 27, 2020.

The 60-year-old died in an Aberdeen hospital on January 14, 2021, almost two months after the incident.

On July 27, 2025, Garry George Thomson was hit by a falling hay bale at Woodtown Farm in Rothienorman.

The 58-year-old self-employed farmer died at the scene.

A Preliminary Hearing will be held on June 25 at Banff Sheriff Court into both incidents.

The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are used to establish facts rather than to convict an individual or organisation.

Debbie Carroll of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotland’s death investigation authority, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of George Andrew Stephen and Garry George Thomson occurred in similar circumstances while working with hay bales.

“Although the deaths occurred in separate incidents, there are sufficient common features between the circumstances of their deaths to hold a single FAI. Hearing the matters together under the direction of the Sheriff will allow the effective examination of any shared issues and identify lessons for the future.

“The families will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.” 