A “highly-skilled” young farmer died after being crushed by a quad bike while searching for a lost cow.
Samantha Bunting was working at Gerranton Farm, near Castle Douglas, when she was tasked with finding a cow that hadn’t returned from a nearby field.
The 21-year-old was thrown from the quad bike she was travelling on after it hit a ridge on the ground and then landed on top of her.
Her body was discovered by her housemate who had gone searching for the young farmer after she failed to answer her phone.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry heard how Samantha had grown up on a farm and was experienced in the use of quad bikes.
On the morning on September 22, 2021, she was asked by dairy farmer Ian Heuchan to track down the lost cow in a nearby field but never returned.
Attempts were made by Mr Heuchan and Miss Bunting’s housemate to contact her.
After searching in the nearby field, Miss Bunting was discovered lying face down beneath an upturned quad bike.
She was described as being “cold to the touch” and had no pulse.
An ambulance was called and the young farmer was pronounced dead at the scene.
Subsequent investigations found that the quad bike had been in overall good condition and in working order with no defects.
Sheriff Dempsey concluded that Miss Bunting’s death was a result of the quad bike striking a small ridge on the ground which caused her to lose control of the vehicle which came to rest on her upper torso.
No recommendations were made.
Following the death, a decision was taken by J R Heuchan and Son that quad bikes would no longer be used on their farm.
Sheriff Dempsey paid tribute to Miss Bunting described as a “much loved daughter, sister, friend and colleague.”
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