A fatal accident inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Alistair Blair, a 64-year-old farmhand who sustained fatal injuries at a storage shed on a Stirlingshire farm. According to BBC News, Mr Blair died on 4 November 2024 while employed by Graham's The Family Dairy at Birkenwood Farm near Kippen. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 11 December at Stirling Sheriff Court.
Fatal accident inquiries are formal proceedings designed to establish the facts of a death rather than to assign responsibility or blame to any individual or organisation. The inquiry into Mr Blair's death will seek to determine the precise cause of his fatal injuries, the full circumstances in which the death occurred, and whether any reasonable precautions could have been implemented to prevent the tragedy.
Because Mr Blair's death took place during the course of his employment, the fatal accident inquiry is mandatory under Scottish law. Debbie Carroll, representing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, confirmed this requirement and emphasised the family's involvement in the process.
The death of Alistair Blair occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a fatal accident inquiry is mandatory. Mr Blair's family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.
Fatal accident inquiries into workplace deaths involving agricultural workers have become increasingly common in Scotland. A previous inquiry concluded that farmer Brian McColm died of a traumatic brain injury following a tractor crash at Awhirk Farm near Stranraer in January 2024, while another inquiry found that farmer Andrew Rennie, 75, died after suffering cardiac arrest while operating a quad bike on 27 November 2024 at West Torphin Farm. These inquiries have examined whether workplace safety measures and precautions could have altered the outcomes.
What happens next?
The preliminary hearing scheduled for 11 December at Stirling Sheriff Court will establish the procedural framework for the full inquiry. During this hearing, the court will determine the scope of the investigation, identify witnesses who will be called to give evidence, and set a timeline for the full inquiry proceedings. The family of Alistair Blair will be kept informed of all significant developments as the legal process unfolds.
