Lincolnshire Claims
A farmer with strong Angus connections has died in tragic circumstances at his Lincolnshire home.
William Laird (81) was working on the family farm nearConingsby on Friday afternoon when he was struck by a teleporter handling vehicle being driven by one of his five sons.
The victim's younger brother, Ivan, is a well-known figure in Angus agricultural circles and spoke of the devastation of family members on both sides of the border.
The victim was the elder son of the late William Laird of Inverquharity Mill, near Kirriemuir, and although schooled in Lanark retained close ties to Angus before moving south in the late 1950s.
He trained as a draughtsman and after National Service took over Providence Farm in the hamlet of New York, around 20 miles south-east of Lincoln.
Mr Laird and his wife, Hilda, have five sons. Four of them — Gordon, Douglas, Graham and Malcolm — followed their father into farming and were involved in running the successful mixed operation at New York. The couple's other son, Ian, is a vet based at Providence Farm.
Friday's tragedy happened when Malcolm was feeding cattle. Although the exact circumstances of the accident are unclear, it appears he tragically ran over his father when operating the teleporter.
Speaking to The Courier, Ivan Laird said: ''We are not sure exactly what happened but they were working outside and William was unsighted to Malcolm, who was driving the teleporter.
''It was failing light but we do not know the full circumstances. It is a tragedy which has left the whole family shattered.
''William was just one of those lads who wouldn't retire and continued to work on the farm with the four boys. The way it happened is dreadful and the family are devastated.''
He said the Lincolnshire operation was well known as finishers of beef cattle and the family's agricultural involvement also included organising ploughing matches.
''The boys' wives are all very active in the community. New York is just a small place and this will have hit many people very hard down there,'' added Mr Laird, from Justinhaugh, nearForfar.
''William was very keen on carriage driving and was president of the British Driving Society in his area.
''We were schooled in Lanarkshire after my father joined the police there, but the family's roots are in Angus and it has always been regarded as home. When we were younger we came back here at every opportunity.''
Lincolnshire police confirmed they were aware of the tragedy, but their involvement in the matter had concluded and no further investigation would be carried out.
The Health and Safety Executive was also part of the inquiry.
It is understood the matter has now been passed to the local coroner's office, which will handle the post mortem arrangements before the release of Mr Laird's body for a funeral to take place.
source: thecourier.co.uk
