Farmer died after he was trapped under a trailer

A young farmer died after he was trapped under a trailer in a farmyard accident, an inquest has heard.

Conor Whelton, 27, of Knockea, Lyre, Clonakilty, died of asphyxia after he became trapped under a trailer on January 16 last.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of occupational accident but asked for a health warning to be placed on trailers to warn of the possible risks facing people operating them.

The inquest at Bandon Courthouse heard that Mr Whelton and his father had bought a new plough and they rented a trailer in order to collect it.

On the drive back from Cork, they felt the trailer’s brakes required adjusting and Conor Whelton set about this job after the family ate supper at around 8.15pm.

In her postmortem report, assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said the cause of death was traumatic asphyxia due to neck and chest compression as a result of becoming pinned beneath a trailer.

“He was prevented from breathing and in a very short time became unconscious and unable to call for help,” the coroner said.

PSV Garda Inspector Thomas Brosnan checked the trailer the day after the accident and found the hydraulic jack, locking system and the brakes to be in good working order.

“The only explanation is that more than likely he inadvertently hit off the lever for the locking device with his foot and it came down on top of him,” he said,

Coroner Frank O’Connell said he would pass on the jury’s recommendation for additional safety signage on trailers to the HSA.