Farmer died in quad bike accident after cardiac arrest

A farmer who died after coming off a quad bike in West Lothian had a cardiac arrest before losing control of the vehicle, a sheriff has said.

Andrew Rennie, 75, was working at West Torphin Farm on 27 November, 2024 when he sustained force chest and abdominal injuries in the incident.

His son Gavin found him at the bottom of a steep embankment. He tried to resuscitate him and called an ambulance but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

After a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI), Sheriff Colm P Dempsey said there were no precautions that could have avoided the death.

The FAI heard that on the morning of his death, Rennie had been tending to livestock with his son.

At about 11:30, Rennie set out on his own to bring sheep in from a neighbouring field, travelling on his quad bike.

Gavin Rennie noticed that his father had not returned as expected.

He found him lying on his back on the ground. The quad bike was upright in a direct line of travel from a steep embankment.

The sheriff did not make any recommendations.

He said: "Andrew Rennie was a 75-year-old man who was much loved by his family and friends.

"He had grown up on a farm and was a highly skilled and experienced farmer.

"Standing Mr Rennie's experience in the use of quad bikes, together with his knowledge of his land, he would not have deliberately travelled down the steep embankment.

He added: "I express my condolences, along with those of the Crown, to the family and friends of Mr Rennie."