Inquiry into death of Dumfries farmer injured while repairing fence

An inquiry is to be held into the death of a farmer who suffered fatal injuries while repairing a fence in Dumfries.

William Mark Callander, a farmer at Crofthead Farm, Crocketford, died in hospital on May 11, 2023.

He sustained fatal injuries three days earlier while using a modified fence post driver during fencing repair work.

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the 55-year-old’s death with a preliminary hearing set for December 7 at Dumfries Sheriff Court.

Debbie Carroll for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotland’s independent deaths investigation authority, said: “The death of William Mark Callander 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 Callander’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.” 

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 inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.   