A tragic incident unfolded as a 10-year-old boy lost his life in a quadbike accident after taking the vehicle without his parents’ permission, according to an inquest. Thomas Bull passed away in the hospital following the quadbike tipping over and trapping him underneath it on his family’s farm. Despite being familiar with farm chores, Thomas was aware that he was not allowed to ride the quadbike alone, the inquest revealed at Accrington Town Hall.
On the day of the accident, after returning from school on June 7, Thomas took the quadbike out without his parents, Jo and Chris, knowing. Concern arose when he did not return to the property located on the family’s farm in Paythorne, Lancashire. Chris noticed something in the field and discovered the quadbike overturned with Thomas trapped beneath it. Emergency services were summoned, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters transported Thomas to Leeds General Infirmary. Despite initial optimism from doctors, Thomas’ condition deteriorated, leading to his passing on June 10 due to severe crush injuries.
Notably, the Health and Safety Executive visited the farm but did not pursue further investigation. The inquest found that Thomas was not wearing a helmet at the time, though no recorded head injuries were reported. It was also determined that Thomas’s age and weight heightened the risk of the quadbike overturning, with him being unable to lift the vehicle off himself. Coroner Richard Taylor concluded the incident as an accidental death, stating that Thomas lost control of the quadbike, causing it to overturn.
A spokesperson from the David Hartley Family Funeral Service, which organised Thomas’s funeral, described him as a “typical farmer’s son” who had a passion for tractors and farm machinery. Following Thomas’ untimely demise, a fundraising effort for Yorkshire Air Ambulance in his memory has raised over £36,000. At his funeral, a procession of tractors followed his coffin to honour his love for farming.
The community mourns the loss of a young life with heartfelt tributes and support for the Bull family during this difficult time. Thomas’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures, especially when operating heavy machinery, to prevent such tragic accidents from occurring in the future.