Farm worker deaths in Wales, England and Scotland reached 22 in 2025–2026—the highest total in a decade and the second-highest across all industries, behind construction, which recorded 27 fatalities. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show., external
The fatality rate in agriculture was seven times higher than the average across all industries, based on deaths per 100,000 workers. Farming had one of the highest workplace death rates in the UK.
“The situation seems to be getting worse and worse,” Margaret said. “Someone has died within four miles of here in the last few years. Isn’t it frightening?”
Margaret said Islwyn was extremely cautious and was one of the few farmers she knew who wore a safety helmet.
“He understood the dangers of farming, so I was always telling him, ‘Be careful,’” she said.
She said she knew something was wrong on the day Islwyn died because he was “never very late for dinner”. She described the circumstances of his death as “unacceptable”.
Following his death, Margaret had to sell the farm’s livestock and equipment and arrange for other farmers to rent most of the land.
“I cried every day for more than a year and thought it would always be that way, but it is getting easier,” she said.
Margaret has been staying in Lanisil and keeping busy with her horses. She said it was important to focus on the happy memories while continuing to cope with her loss.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk