Teenager dies after getting trapped in bale

Oct 26, 2023

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, swarmed the scene but were unable to save the teenager, with police not treating the death as suspicious

A teenager has died after reportedly getting trapped in a bale-wrapping machine in a horror accident.

The youngster was killed in the sickening tragedy while working at a farm in Plymouth, Devon.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, swarmed the scene but medics were unable to save his life.

An investigation is underway into the young man's death.

The farmer's name and exact age are yet to be made public but a statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said the death was not suspicious and an investigation has already started, the Daily Star reports.

Farmer's Weekly reports that the teen was killed by a bale-wrapping machine.

"Police were contacted by the ambulance service on the evening of Wednesday, June 22," a spokesperson for the force added.

"It followed reports of a teenage male having sustained serious injuries while working at a farm in the Plympton area of Plymouth.

"The fire service, police, plus air and land ambulances, all attended the scene.

"Tragically, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene."

They added: "His next of kin have been informed and this death is not currently being treated as suspicious.

"Due to the age of the male, police will support the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with their investigation into this matter."

The Health and Safety team is currently treating the disaster as work-related, but say things will be assessed further.

Experts from Farmer's Weekly added: "Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK because of the high level of fatal accidents and life-changing injuries".

And their "Dying to Feed You" campaign lists several shocking accidents farmers in the UK have had to endure, including a man who lost his arm after he was dragged into a potato harvester and another who was attacked by a cow.

Other incidents saw one farmer fracture her skull after a quadbike incident and someone else who fell 28ft through a shed roof.

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories