Tragic accident as farmer killed by sheepdog in tractor Jun 11 2008 By Charlie Gall

A FARMER was crushed to death by machinery in a freak accident - caused by his sheepdog.

Harry Emslie, 67, left the border collie in the cab of a telescopic loader with the engine still running - and the handbrake off.

But as he shovelled rubbish into the bucket in front of the machine, the dog caught a control and it shot forward and pinned him against the wall of a farmshed.

Yesterday, police and Health and Safety Executive officers were probing the tragedy on Harry's farm close to Clola, near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

They refused to speculate on what had happened but a neighbouring farmer revealed what caused his close friend's death.

Albert Howie, who is also a councillor, said: "The dog was in the cab of the telescopic Manitou loader.

"Harry was tidying up in a shed, I believe, and he was working in front of the loader.

"The engine had still been running and the dog pressed the forward button and the machine came forward and pinned Harry against the wall."

Harry's body was discovered beside the loader by his daughter Jacqueline, who had been visiting from her home in Stranraer.

She raised the alarm and an ambulance rushed to the farm but paramedics were unable to revive him.

Harry's wife Kay, 63, was too distraught to talk last night. The couple also have a son, Harry.

Harry snr kept several dogs but was particularly fond of the border collie, who was devoted to him.

Devastated Albert added: "It was his collie dog.

"There are quite a lot of dogs on the farm because they have a few sheep.

"But this was Harry's dog that could handle cattle and sheep.

"It's a border collie but it's so sad because once a dog takes to someone, they want to be with them all the time.

"Of course, if the handbrake had been on, or the engine stopped, it wouldn't have happened.

"But we all do things when we are in a hurry.

"Nearly all accidents could be prevented."

Harry was a well-known figure in Britain's farming scene and had won several awards for his cattle.

He began as a livestock auctioneer in Caithness before going on to farm.

At Britain's premier livestock event, the Royal Smithfield Show in London, he twice took a supreme rosette. He was also called upon to judge at competitions throughout Britain and Ireland.

Aberdeen and Northern Marts Group chief executive Brian Pack said: "Harry was such a larger-than-life guy and a major part of the agricultural industry, particularly beef production.

"It is a terrible accident and such a tragic loss for his family.

"For the industry, it is also a real loss as we've lost a character and someone who was a master of what he did.

"He knew the livestock business backwards. He was a master judge and breeder of livestock.

"And what a worker, he just did not know how to slow down."

Albert Howie went on to pay tribute to his old friend, who he described as "a genius".

He said: "It's very tragic. My thoughts go out to his family, close relatives and all his friends.

"It's unbelievable. He was a wonderful guy, a one-off.

"He was a real character and a brilliant farmer.

"His animals were always a picture and well looked after.

"He was a bit of a genius in a way. He was the life and soul of any party.

"He had been at my house for a party until the small hours of Saturday."

A Grampian Police spokesman confirmed they had attended an incident at the farm on Monday morning.

He said: "It would appear the 67-year-old man was fatally injured in the accident which involved a tractor unit.

"At this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained."

Submitted on 06/11/2008

Submitted by: Neil Mackay
Reference: Daily Record, Scotland, UK, June 11 2008

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
While technically not a case of self-selection I'll vote for this one since leaving a dog in the cab of any running machinery is pretty much a guarantee of unexpected results. He should have realized that the dog could easily step on a pedal or lever. Thanks, Neil.

Tracy said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
That is particularly stupid - engine running, handbrake off, loose dog in cab!

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