Farmer, 82, killed in quad bike accident

John Goronwy Edwards, known as Gron to his loved ones, died from multiple injuries including a broken back in two places, as well as extensive rib and chest injuries.

They were caused by an accident which happened at Cwmcilan in Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant – the farm where he was born, lived and worked on.

The accident had been witnessed by his two nephews and great-nephew.

A farmer all his life, Mr Edwards, aged 82, had retired in 2013 just before his 80th birthday but rented out his land to nephews Arthur Owen Edwards and John Meirion Edwards and still helped out on the farm.

Mr Edwards died on August 12 this year, after he fell forward over the handlebars of the Honda quad bike which landed on him, after he had reversed it on the gravel track and it 'suddenly and violently' accelerated, veering to the right and onto a steep grass bank.

The accident happened at about 8am when his nephews had arrived on the farm that day.

It was thought Mr Edwards at that time was going to check the livestock in the fields.

John Edwards, who gave evidence during the hearing at Welshpool Magistrates Court on Friday, said his uncle had farmed all of his life and was a respected farmer and, in particular, sheep breeder.

He said: "He did find it difficult to give up so he carried on his farming through us.

"He was a countryside man, that was basically his hobby really He attended markets still, would see how we were doing and encouraged us."

During his evidence, Mr Edwards raised concerns about the number of motorbike and quad bike accidents that take place, which he thinks is down to the easy accessibility of the vehicle's throttles. Aled Thomas, forensic vehicle examiner for Dyfed-Powys Police, who checked over the vehicle following Mr Edwards' death deemed the bike – which had been purchased in March this year – in good condition with no mechanical defects.

However, he did question whether the handlebar mitts on the bike had possibly played a part in the 'mismanagement' of the quad bike.

A post mortem was carried out by Dr Cerys Burrows, at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, who gave the cause of death as multiple injuries due to a bike accident.

In his conclusion, Powys coroner Mr Andrew Barkley said Mr Edwards had been born on the farm, lived there and by a 'twist of fate' died there. He added that Mr Edwards' brother was also killed in a farming accident in 1986.

Mr Barkley concluded Mr Edwards death had been accidental.