An Aberdeenshire contractor, who did work for the oil industry, has died in an accident involving a tractor, five years after his brother died in a similar incident at the same family farm.
Neil Ironside, 47, was killed at around 11am on Saturday at the Auchlinn Farm near Turriff.
It comes after his younger brother Alan died in an accident involving a combine harvester at the same farm in August 2013.
Police said there are no suspicious circumstances in the incident and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
Residents last night said they were “shell-shocked”.
Turriff councillor, Iain Taylor, who knows the family, said: “The family lost another son in other tragic circumstances five years ago.
“We are absolutely shell-shocked and that’s how they must be feeling.
“He had a successful business in Aberdeen and my understanding was he coming back to the family farm. Sad is not the word, it’s tragic.
“It’s absolutely horrendous. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”
Mr Ironside was the director of KW Contractors, which he founded in 2004.
The construction firm worked for a variety of sectors across the north-east, including the oil and gas industry.
Donald Law owns the Lairhillock Inn, close by to a lodge ran by Mr Ironside’s family.
He said: “It’s just an absolutely tragic loss for everyone. He was a devoted father and husband.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of what happened but everybody is in complete shock.”
Mr Ironside’s brother Alan was killed in 2013 when he was dragged into a combine harvester
A fatal accident inquiry into the incident heard that the 39-year-old had attempted to clear a straw blockage in the vehicle.
He was sucked into the machine when his father accidentally switched it on, causing fatal neck and head injuries.
Sheriff Philip Mann said in court that the type of accident was “all too familiar” in the farming industry.
Following the incident on Saturday, George Cassie, a retired farmer from Turriff said: “It’s a dangerous job.
“I was in a farming accident 14 years ago, a baler fell on my head.
“Accidents happen but there’s a lot more now than there used to be.
“It’s terrible news.”
A local shop keeper said her thoughts were with the family.
She said: “What a tragedy to go through, it must have been a big shock to the family.”
A police presence remained at the scene yesterday with the barn area taped-off, along with a few vehicles in the yard.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Police were called to a farm in the Fisherie area of Turriff in relation to the sudden death of a 47-year-old man at around 11am on Saturday, 10 November.
“There are no suspicious circumstances. Police are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and as with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
The Health and Safety Executive said it is supporting Police Scotland who is leading the investigation.
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