Family want lessons learned from Omagh farmer’s death

A CORONER has urged the Farm Safety Partnership to intensify efforts to promote safety awareness following the death of an Omagh man nearly three years ago.

Ryan Brown, a 44-year-old father of two, died on July 9, 2022, when the tractor he was driving overturned while he was working on the family farm on the Gorticashel Road near Gortin.

Coroner Joseph McCrisken, speaking at the inquest, called for a dedicated education campaign focusing on farm safety – particularly tractor safety and the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

The call has been supported by Mr Brown’s family, including his wife, Sinead, who said it is vital that lessons are learned from the tragedy.

“We as a family want to see safety become a priority for all farmers, and we welcome the coroner’s call for a campaign to highlight the need to take care around tractors especially,” she told the Ulster Herald.

“Ryan’s loss has been terribly devastating for all of us. He was a great father, son and brother, and we miss him every day. But we also want to ensure that lessons from his death are learned to help save lives in the future.

“The statistics presented by the coroner on farm deaths are frightening. Raising awareness is essential, and we will readily support efforts to achieve this.”

Mr McCrisken said an average of five people die in farm accidents in Northern Ireland every year.

“Ryan’s death should not become just another statistic,” he said. “No court process will ever compensate the family for their loss. It’s crucial that lessons are learned. Farming is one of our most productive industries, employing almost 47,000 people across 24,500 farms, but it remains one of the most dangerous. Most farm deaths are preventable.”

Darragh O’Kane, solicitor for the Brown family, said the inquest highlighted the serious risks associated with farm work.

“The jury accepted that the task Ryan was engaged in – cutting grass on a July evening – was one such high-risk activity,” he said.

In a powerful statement read at the inquest, Mr Brown’s wife Sinead described the devastation her family has experienced since his death.

“I feel like Ryan is with me. I often see his handsome face, his smile and hear his infectious laugh. Ryan was charismatic and the life and soul wherever he went,” she said.

“Our children absolutely adored their father – he was their life. He was the fun one, always going to the park with them, letting them have sweets before bed. Ryan’s memories will last forever. He lived life to the full.”

Sinead spoke of the moment she received the devastating news and how she travelled to the Brown family farm. She recalled offering comfort to their daughter, while trying to navigate her own grief and support both children through theirs.

“My children are now my life, they are wonderful and Ryan would be so proud of them,” she said. “There are so many significant occasions ahead where Ryan’s absence will be deeply felt. It’s at night that I miss him most.”