'He will be deeply missed' - well-liked farmer killed in tragic tractor incident

James Moore, 49, was found dead at his home in Co Antrim after the incident on Sunday afternoon.

The cause of death has not yet been confirmed but circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.

The full-time bicycle mechanic and part-time farmer has been described as a “quiet, well-liked person”.

Tributes

Rev Richard Kerr of Templepatrick Presbyterian Church said: "His family are coming to terms with the devastating loss of their brother.

"He will be very deeply missed.

"James would have been a fairly quiet person who kept himself to himself. He was a good friend to those who knew him well and was well liked by his friends and neighbours.”

Family friend DUP MP Paul Girvan said: "It is a tragedy like this that shows how fragile life is. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."

Mr Moore was the son of the late John and Agnes and brother of Samuel, Robert and Neil.

Farm safety

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures from the 2016/17 period showed agriculture top the death toll with 27 work-related deaths - the highest when considering the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers employed.

As of January this year, about 24 people in the industry have already died from fatal incidents.