Father’s grief after death on farm

THE father of a 20-year-old killed by farm machinery has spoken of the moment he found out his “beautiful” daughter had died.

Lauren Scott was killed when she became catastrophically entangled in a spinning power shaft at the back of a tractor while helping out at the farm of Neil Carpenter in Dawlish.

Carpenter, 45, is standing trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of manslaughter by gross negligence for not ensuring the equipment was safe. He denies the charge.

On the second day of the trial yesterday, Lauren’s father, Gary Hooper, struggled to hold back tears as he recalled the aftermath of the tragic event.

“I don’t remember a lot about that day and what was said I’m afraid,” he said. “My concern was my daughter lying in the mud, her beautiful hair, like her mother’s, all covered in mud.”

Lauren had been alone with Carpenter on his 10-acre farm when her hair and clothes became entangled.

The prosecution allege Carpenter had a ‘cavalier attitude’ to safety.

Mr Hooper arrived at Springfield Farm after Carpenter alerted the family shortly after the incident on March 4,

Lauren Scott 2017. He said: “I saw Lauren’s clothing and her hair wrapped around the end of the prop shaft.” She died of multiple injuries at the scene.

Mr Hooper said Lauren, the sixth of seven children, had grown up with a love of animals. She worked at Powderham Castle and also helped with horses at Newton Abbot racecourse.

Lauren’s brother, James, said in a statement that she had grown up around machinery at their father’s garage and was aware of the dangers.

Carpenter, who also works as a traffic enforcement officer, has pleaded guilty to two charges brought under the Health and Safety Act 1974. He accepts he had a duty of care to Lauren but disputes it was so gross as to amount to the crime of manslaughter. The trial continues.