Wigtownshire farmer died following tractor crash

A WIGTOWNSHIRE farmer died of a traumatic brain injury following a tractor crash on his farm near Ardwell, a sheriff has concluded.

It happened when Brian McColm, 68, was working on Awhirk Farm at Ardwell on January 5 2024.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry heard that Mr McColm had a history of epileptic seizures as far back as 1972, with his most recent seizure resulting in a hospital admission.

On the day of the accident William Barry - who occasionally helped with work on the farm - saw a red tractor sitting down a lane that runs parallel to the stage ditch. Getting closer, he then spotted another tractor down a steep drop as if it had come off the lane here after Mr McColm appeared with a large gash and blood running down his face.

Mr Barry offered to take the 68-year-old to the hospital, however it was noted that Mr McColm 'became stroppy' and was determined to get the tractor out of the ditch by using the other vehicle.

After leaving the scene briefly, Mr Barr returned to find Mr McColm lying on the ground having a seizure.

He was rushed to the nearby Galloway Community Hospital for treatment and attempts were made to transfer him to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for further treatment. However, he 'significantly deteriorated' and passed away in the Stranraer hospital four days later, on January 9.

In his determination, published this week, Sheriff Garry Sutherland said it was clear Mr McColm had suffered seizures over many years, stating: "It also seems to be clear that latterly, presumably of necessity, he required to work on in running his farm notwithstanding those and cope as best he could."

However, the sheriff said he was making no formal recommendations as it was impossible to identify the cause of the crash, but the most likely reasons were a steering system failure or that he had lost control due to a seizure.

Sheriff Sutherland added: "It seems that the two most likely possibilities of the cause of the collision are the steering system failing in that manner or Mr McColm having suffered a seizure when driving the tractor, causing him to lose control of it, no finding can be made as there is no information/evidence available to indicate which is more likely."