Teenager died in bale wrapping accident - inquest
Family handoutA teenage farm worker was fatally crushed in a malfunctioning bale wrapping machine, an inquest has heard.
Luke Searle, 17, had been operating a tractor and baling machine to wrap up cut grass bales used for animal feed on Sherwell Farm in Plympton, Devon, on 22 June 2022.
An inquest jury at Exeter Coroner's Court heard there was a problem with the bale wrapper. The inquest heard Luke had not put the machinery into a Safe Stop mode before investigating the fault.
The jury recorded that "during investigation the dispenser arms restarted, trapping Luke and causing chest and abdominal injuries".
"Medical treatment was administered on site but these injuries proved fatal," the jury added.
The inquest heard farm owner James Williams went to check on Luke.
He found the machinery was not moving in the field and discovered Luke trapped and unconscious in the baler.
Williams, who operates a farm partnership over five farms and 2,000 acres, called for help which included Luke's older brother, William.
They freed Luke from the machine and gave him CPR but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Simon Jones told the hearing there had been a problem with the bale wrapper arms not rotating.
The jury heard before any repair the power should have been isolated, the engine switched off and controls put in neutral.
The inquest heard Luke's family and the farm owners had been close friends for many years.
Luke was a student at Cornwall based Duchy College on a two-year agricultural land based engineering course, with 80% of the course being on the farm.
Devon area coroner, Nicholas Lane, told the inquest jury the Searle brothers were very close and had a rural upbringing and both planned careers in farming.
The inquest heard Luke was "a very sociable well liked young man who loved what he was doing".
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