Tyrone community mourns man killed in tragic accident on his family farm

A Co Tyrone community has been grieving for an elderly farmer who lost his life in an accident.

Peter O’Neill, who was aged in his 70s, died while he was working on a vehicle on the family farm in Carrickmore last week.

He was laid to rest on Saturday morning at St Colmcille’s Church near his home.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service was called to the family farm shortly before 8pm last Wednesday.

West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff said the community has been left shocked by the accident. The Sinn Fein man said that Mr O’Neill was a “hard-working man”.

“He was a man who was most comfortable working on his farm and with tractors.

“He was a decent man who often helped his neighbours.

“The O’Neill family are highly respected in the community and it is very sad that Peter would die in such tragic circumstances.”

The Ulster Farmers Union president Barclay Bell told the Tyrone Herald: “It is a tragic reminder that farms are busy work places and can sometimes be dangerous.

“The circumstances around this farm accident are being investigated but it is a sad remind- er that you can never be too careful on a farm.”

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it is investigating the accident.

“The HSE can confirm it is investigating the circumstances of a fatality on a farm in the Carrickmore area,” a spokesman said.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with the man’s family at this most difficult time.”

Mr O’Neill is survived by his wife Anna, sons Aidan, Barry, Darren and Paul, brothers, sisters, daughters-in-law, Teresa and Andrea, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandson Eoghan and extended family circle.