Woman widowed by farm accident: 'You go out that door - what if you don't come back?'

A young widow whose husband died shortly after the birth of their second child has appealed to all farm workers to be aware of possible dangers while they work.

Diane Banville had given birth to the couple’s second child just one month before a silage bale fell on her husband Kevin and took his life on St Patrick’s Day last year.

One month later she was back at the same parish Church in New Bawn, New Ross, Co Wexford to christen the couple’s second child, Cillian, on their first wedding anniversary. It was also the same weekend as Kevin’s Month's Mind Mass.

"Nobody expects to be a widow at 35 with two young kids. You should have your whole life in front of you. Instead, you're just treading water," said Diane.

"You go out that door and kiss your wife or partner and say you'll be back in a few hours. Just think - what if you don't come back through that door? How will your wife and kids survive without you?"

In the hard-hitting clip, family members and friends talk of the impact of Kevin's death on Diane and on themselves.

The video was shot as part of Embrace FARM's ‘What’s Left Behind’ campaign to raise awareness of farm safety.

Founder Brian Rohan said: "As an organisation we are indebted to Diane for setting aside her grief and putting herself forward for our latest video. Her heartache is unimaginable and she is such a tragic case of what’s left behind.

"Despite her loss she has somehow summoned up the strength to use her story in the hope that others might avoid what she is going through. That’s an enormous gesture from her and, indeed, the others who have participated in this campaign.

"We just hope now as many people as possible view and share Diane’s and our other videos so the impact of farm accidents is fully understood and that this might trigger greater safety on farms."

There were 30 farm deaths in 2014 - an 87% increase on 2013.

More videos and information on the Embrace FARM facebook page.