Farm Owner Fined After Fatal ATV Overturn in Monmouthshire

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by the Health and Safety Executive.

Incident Summary

A farm owner in Monmouthshire was fined £5,500 after an all-terrain vehicle overturned on 25 August 2022, fatally crushing an employee.

The incident occurred as the doorless vehicle was driven down a hillside at Wyesham during vegetation clearing operations. The driver lost control of the vehicle, ejecting passenger Colin Williams, 58, who died at the scene from crush injuries.

Investigation Findings

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed that neither Williams nor the driver was wearing a seat belt or had received adequate vehicle safety training. Inspectors determined that the vehicle was being driven in high gear and two-wheel drive rather than low gear and four-wheel drive, tyre pressures were uneven and improperly inflated, vehicle keys were left accessible to untrained personnel, and no routine pre-use checks were conducted.

Legal Outcome

The farm owner pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court imposed a £5,500 fine and ordered £5,813 in costs on 2 September 2026.

Regulatory Statement

HSE Principal Inspector Damian Corbett stated,

"Anyone operating these machines should have the right training and be wearing seat belts when travelling. This accident was a tragic consequence of a lack of training, and a lack of basic safety precautions which cost a family a husband and a father. Employers must ensure that those entrusted to operate vehicles are properly trained and instructed to wear seat belts or safety equipment where there is a risk."