A jury has determined that a teenage farm worker lost his life due to a tragic accident involving faulty machinery. Luke Searle, aged 17, was operating a tractor and baling machine on a farm in Plympton, Devon, in June 2022, wrapping cut grass for animal feed. While investigating a malfunction with the bale wrapper, Luke became trapped in the machine, leading to fatal chest and abdominal injuries.
The incident occurred on the evening of June 22, 2022, at Sherwell Farm in Plympton. The jury found that the wrapping machine malfunctioned, causing the arms to restart unexpectedly while Luke was investigating, ultimately resulting in the tragic outcome. Despite receiving immediate medical attention on-site, Luke’s injuries proved to be fatal.
Due to Luke’s young age, authorities conducted a joint investigation into the circumstances of his death. The farm owner, James Williams, discovered Luke trapped in the baler and unconscious after noticing the machinery had stopped moving. Despite efforts to free him and administer CPR, Luke was pronounced dead at the scene. The inquest revealed that the Searle and Williams families had a long-standing friendship.
Luke was a student at Duchy College in Cornwall, pursuing a land-based engineering course with practical training conducted on the farm. Health and Safety Executive inspector Simon Jones highlighted that the bale wrapper had experienced issues with the arms not rotating, prompting Luke to investigate without activating the ‘Safe Stop’ mode. The jury emphasized the importance of following safety protocols, such as isolating power and switching off the engine before attempting repairs.
Coroner Nicholas Lane described the close relationship between Luke and his brother, emphasizing their shared rural upbringing and aspirations in farming. Luke was remembered as a sociable and well-liked individual who was passionate about his work. The inquest concluded with a verdict of accidental death, acknowledging the tragic nature of the incident.
Overall, the community mourns the loss of a promising young farm worker as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.
