No precautions could have prevented the horrific death of a “highly experienced” and well-regarded Turriff farmer, an inquiry has concluded.
Caroline Rennie, 21, suffered multiple injuries when she tried to jump onto a moving tractor while a field was being ploughed and sewn for barley seed on April 3 last year.
The tragedy happened close to the A974 road near the Hatton Estate in Turriff and sent shockwaves throughout the farming community and beyond.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) heard evidence from witnesses, including Caroline’s father who was working with her on the day of the tragedy.
Sheriff Robert Frazer concluded that Caroline’s death was a “direct result” of her “unilateral decision to attempt to jump onto a moving tractor”.
The driver of the tractor had not seen Caroline and did not stop, causing Caroline to lose her footing, fall against the rear offside tyre guard and under the power harrow.
She died instantly after becoming caught in the machinery.
The harrow was four metres wide and made up of 17 intertwined rotor blades powered by the tractor’s engine until it was turned off.
In his determination, Sheriff Frazer said that Caroline’s behaviour was “clearly out of character” and that she took witnesses “completely by surprise”.
He said: “She did not give any indication or warning to any of the witnesses for her actions.”
And the Sheriff added: “There is no rational explanation which can be given for her actions.”
He noted that Caroline had been in the tractor driver’s blind spot and that the driver was “completely unaware of her actions for which he was not to blame”.
At the time of Caroline’s accidental death, she was an agricultural student in the fourth year of her university degree.
She was also employed by John Rennie & Sons (Farmers) Ltd, an agricultural farming business run by her father.
The FAI heard that Caroline was a “highly experienced” agricultural worker and a “valued” member of the business.
She had learned to drive tractors at the age of 15 and was considered an “extremely competent and careful equipment operator”.
Miss Rennie was also described as a “passionate” and “dynamic” farmer as well as an “active, popular and much-loved” member of Turriff Young Farmers’ Club.
Around the time of Caroline’s death, agricultural leaders said the tragic incident served as a reminder of the “enormous challenges when working with machinery and livestock”.
Sheriff Frazer found that “there are no precautions which could reasonably have been taken that might realistically have resulted in the death being avoided”.
And in his closing remarks, the Sheriff added: “I would like to record my thanks and admiration to Caroline’s parents and sister for their attendance at this inquiry and the dignified manner in which they conducted themselves throughout.
“I hope, in some small way, this process has helped in assisting them in coming to terms with their undoubted grief and loss of a beloved daughter and sibling.”
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