Freak accident led to man's death on farm
The inquest was heard last Thursday at Ballina Courthouse.
A fatal accident near Kilkelly last August in which a man was struck by a quad bike while helping his wife spray weeds on the family farm was recalled at an inquest in Ballina Courthouse conducted by Mayo coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald.
James (Jimmy) Forkin, aged 69, of Carrabeg, Kilkelly, was drowned after being pinned in a drain by the all-terrain vehicle (ATV), commonly known as a quad bike.
Garda Sheena Feehilly, one of the investigating officers, said the deceased had been spraying briars while his wife drove the vehicle.
In a statement to gardaí which was read into evidence at the inquest, Christina Forkin said she was driving while Jimmy walked behind her with a hand held lance which was connected to a sprayer.
The witness said her vehicle “went back with force” while she slowly reversed following a signal to do so by Jimmy.
The witness said when she emerged from the vehicle Jimmy wasn’t there. She called out for him but got no response before raising the alarm.
Colm Costello, a member of Trimogue Community First Responders, outlined to the inquest how he got a text message stating there had been a cardiac arrest in Carrabeg. When he arrived at 3.03pm there was nobody at the Eircode provided and it took a while to locate the patient down the field.
Mr Costello said the ATV was in the drain with its two front wheels up in the air. He saw two legs sticking out from under the vehicle.
Evidence was given to the hearing that Mr Forkin was face down, submerged in water, showing no signs of life with the ATV on top of him when fire crews and other first responders arrived on the scene.
The inquest was told every effort had been made to save Mr Forkin.
Coroner Fitzgerald noted that an examination by the Health and Safety Authority showed that the ATV was in good working order. She described the accident as “a freak, tragic event” which occurred while the couple were carrying out a difficult task.
What happened was all the more tragic because Mr Forkin’s wife was in the ATV at the time, the coroner said.
In comments that were echoed by Gda Sgt Sean McHale, the coroner commended emergency teams for their quick response to the tragedy.
- Published in conjunction with the Courts Reporting Scheme.
