Powys farmer found dead on slope with his tractor down an embankment below him

A Mid Wales farmer was found dead on the top of a slope with his open tractor down an embankment below him, an inquest has heard.

An inquest into the death of Ian Penlington was opened and adjourned at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court on Friday.

The hearing heard that Mr Penlington, 69, resided with his brothers at their family farm Rhiewdantin, Kerry near Newtown.

South Wales Central Area Coroner Mr Andrew Morse was told on Thursday, April 23 2026 Mr Penlington had been working in the fields when he was found deceased at the top of a steep slope with his open tractor down the embankment below him.

The tractor showed signs of having rolled.

Mr Penlington, who was born in Newtown, was identified by his brother David.

An air ambulance, police officers, firefighters and paramedics attended the scene following reports of an emergency at the farm.

Dyfed Powys Police reported the death on April 24 and the incident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive.

Dr Barlow of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital carried out a post-mortem on April 29 and concluded that Mr Penlington had died of a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Mr Morse said it looked likely Mr Penlington’s death was due to a traumatic incident so he opened and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed for more information to be gathered.

He passed his sincere condolences to Mr Penlington’s family.