A FARMER died after becoming trapped under a quad bike for 16 hours in freezing temperatures, an inquest heard.
David Charles Knipe, 65, was found by his neighbour in the woods, trapped at the waist by the bike.
David Charles Knipe died shortly after being airlifted to hospital Credit: Collect
The farmer was found by his neighbour in the woods Credit: Getty
The poultry farmer also suffered from two cardiac arrests in Royal Preston Hospital the next morning, where he was airlifted to once found.
David, from Tebay, , was found on December 6, 2024 underneath the quad, falling in and out of consciousness.
Assistant coroner at Workington Coroner’s Court, Craig Smith, concluded David had died of hypothermia as a result of the incident.
While the report into his death suspected a broken pelvis, this was not visible in the post-mortem examination.
It detailed: “It’s unlikely to have contributed to the death… With the absence of internal injuries, it’s highly likely he died of hypothermia.”
He was last seen in the evening on his land, High Carlingill farm, driving the vehicle into the woods.
David’s wife, Christine, told the coroner that if her husband had been on a newer model of the quad bike, it could have saved his life.
She said: “I believe now there’s available whereby a third party is alerted if a quad bike topples – I think that’s the part we found quite difficult.
“I’d think that sort of technology may help others going forward – we’re aware that farms are dangerous places.”
At the time of the tragic incident, Christine had left the farm with her daughter Bethany for a trip to Manchester.
While she was unable to make contact with her husband, the inquest heard that this was not out of the norm for David.
However, when her husband did not show up to the Milnthorpe’s market the next day, she began to worry.
When a neighbour was sent to check on David, he was found in Heart Wood, visible to the M6, trapped by the waist under his quad.
Mechanical engineer, Colin Dunn, informed the coroner that the quad bike had a number of faults including a missing brake lever on the handlebar.
David, who regularly serviced the vehicle, was assumed to have been riding across a steep slope over rough terrain when he became stuck.
It is thought that a combination of factors that affected the bike’s stability, resulting in his vehicle entrapping him.
These include the steepness of the slope, the difficulty of the trailer tow, the terrain, and the low tyre pressure.
In his conclusion, Mr Smith said: “[David] was a very competent and experienced driver, he was very familiar with [the quad’s] use in Heart Wood, there’s nothing in the evidence to suggest this wasn’t a momentary issue.”
David was a founding member of “award-winning farmers markets” in Cumbria, where he sold poultry and eggs.
He worked with supermarkets and councils to establish the markets in the country, and took pride in teaching the younger generation how to farm.
His wife, Christine, told the BBC : “He was liked and loved by many, not just the community.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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