Investigation launched after child dies in farm accident

Health and safety inspectors are investigating the death of a 10-year-old boy on a farm in Northern Ireland.

Aaron Macaulay fell from farm machinery in rural Co Down in the east of the region yesterday and was airlifted to hospital, but could not be saved. His brother may also have been injured during the incident.

It was the third tragedy to hit Northern Ireland’s farming community in a week and sparked calls for further safety precautions.

The ambulance service was called to the Rathfriland Road area at Ballyward shortly before 230pm.

The child’s father and mother, Maurice and Wendy Macaulay, are well-known locally as farmers and members of Drumgooland Presbyterian Church.

Their minister cut short a holiday to return to help comfort them.

Last week a father of three died after falling from a wall on his farm in Co Derry . Henry Allen (70) is believed to have lost his balance while working with silage.

Earlier last week six-year-old Harry Starrett died after collapsing in the milking parlour of his family farm on the outskirts of Armagh. There were initial fears he had died in a farm-related accident but a post-mortem examination subsequently identified an undiagnosed heart condition.

PA