'Freak' accident resulted in the death of Mayo farmer
Inquest into the death of Kilkelly farmer heard he drowned after he was trapped in a drain under an all-terrain vehicle
A MAYO farmer died in a 'freak' farming accident when he became trapped in a drain under a rough-terrain vehicle (RTV) while spraying weeds with his wife.
James Forkin, late of Carrabeg, Kilkelly drowned in a drain on his farm on August 6, 2025 after a RTV reversed into the drain and trapped him.
The inquest into his death which took place in Ballina Courthouse heard that the 68-year-old was spraying weeds under the electric fence at Carrabeg, Kilkelly with his wife Christina when the accident occurred.
Chirstina Forkin told the inquest that she was driving the 4x4 RTV which contained the sprayer while her husband James was behind it using a hand lance to spray the weeds.
She explained she was driving at walking pace when they got to a section of the field where she had to reverse into a corner. She explained she reversed back to a point where she thought she had gone far enough but her husband asked her to continue.
She said she continued to reverse slowly but the vehicle went back 'with force' into the drain and she got out to investigate.
The inquest heard that Mr Forkin was knocked into the drain and the vehicle had fallen on top of him with the two front wheels in the air. Mrs Forkin said she called out to her husband but got no response from him and could only see his legs.
When questioned by Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, Mrs Forkin said she was used to driving the vehicle and agreed that what happened was terrifying for her.
The alarm was raised at approximately 2.50pm and local first responder Colm Costello said he arrived at the property at 3.03pm but took a few minutes to locate the casualty in the field.
He described seeing two legs under the RTV which was eventually removed by the fire service who were able to tow it out of the drain using a jeep.
Dr Fitzgerald was informed that Mr Forkin's head was facing up but was submerged in water and was dead when he was taken from the drain. An examination of the RTV showed that the vehicle was in a serviceable condition and the brakes were working.
Garda Sheena Feehily who attended the scene told the inquest that when she spoke to Mrs Forkin at the scene she said that they had the RTV for a year and described that it stops when you take the power off the accelerator.
Dr Tomas Nemeth, the consultant pathologist in Mayo University Hospital said that Mr Forkin did not suffer any injuries apart from minor abrasions and he did not suffer a heart attack. The cause of death he said was asphyxia due to drowning.
Dr Fitzgerald said that because the death took place on a farm, the Health and Safety Authority were notified and there was 'nothing of significance' from their report other than to confirm the vehicle was in good condition.
She described what happened to Mr Forkin as a freak tragic accident but it was a reminder that accidents can happen on farms when risks are taken even when they are not anticipated.
Dr Fitzgerald also commended the prompt response of the emergency services who attended and did what they could to rescue Mr Forkin. She recorded a verdict of accidental death and expressed sympathy to Mrs Forkin 'who suffered his loss in a traumatic way'.