A man in his 80s has died after becoming trapped inside a grain silo on his farm in Lancashire. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday at Orrell Farm in Burscough, north of Ormskirk, when the farmer fell into the storage structure.
Emergency Response
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene and crews worked to cut open the silo in an attempt to reach the man. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified locally as John, a longtime resident of the area.
Neighbor's Account
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Liverpool Echo: 'We saw all the emergency services arrive. The firefighters were working on the silo; I think they had to cut into it. It's so sad; he was a nice man and had not long farmed all the grain from the fields. Even at his age, he was still out on the fields farming.' The neighbor added that John and his wife 'kept themselves to themselves' and had been known in the community for years.
Police Statement
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: 'At 4:37 pm on Thursday, May 21, we were called to reports of an industrial accident at a farm on Orrell Lane, Burscough. Emergency services attended, and very sadly, a man in his 80s was found deceased. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time, and they are being supported by specially trained officers. His death is not being treated as suspicious.'
Investigation Underway
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the work-related industrial accident. Footage from the scene reportedly shows a pile of grain next to three massive silos by a field, with people inspecting the area.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with agricultural work, particularly for elderly farmers who continue to work the land. The community in Burscough has been left in shock, mourning the loss of a respected and hardworking individual.
