Teenager killed after getting trapped in farm machinery named as probe launched

Luke Searle, 17, died in an incident involving a bale-wrapping machine at a farm, with the teenager's death now under joint investigation

A teenager who was killed after getting trapped in farm machinery has been named for the first time.

Luke Searle, 17, died in an incident involving a bale-wrapping machine at Sherwell Farm in Plympton, Plymouth.

Due to Luke's age, the circumstances surrounding this death will be the subject of a joint investigation between the police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Officers were called to the farm by ambulance crews on the evening of June 22 after reports of a teenage boy having sustained serious injuries while working at the farm.

The fire service, police, and air and land ambulances all attended, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, Plymouth Live reports.

Tributes have been pouring in for the teenager after his tragic death.

One local said: "RIP beautiful soul, may you rest with the angels in paradise. Much love and condolences to your family and friends."

Luke's family have asked for privacy whilst they come to terms with their loss, in a statement issued by Devon and Cornwall Police.

It read: "A teenager who died following a tragic incident at a farm in Plympton has been named.

"Police were contacted by the ambulance service on the evening of Wednesday, June 22, following reports of a teenage male having sustained serious injuries whilst working at Sherwell Farm in the Plympton area of Plymouth.

"The fire service, police, plus air and land ambulances all attended the scene, but tragically the teenager was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"He has since been named as 17-year-old Luke Searle who was local to the area.

"His family have asked for privacy whilst they come to terms with their loss.

"Due to Luke's age, the circumstances surrounding this death will be the subject of a joint investigation between the police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)."

Experts from Farmer's Weekly added: "Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK because of the high level of fatal accidents and life-changing injuries".

And their "Dying to Feed You" campaign lists several shocking accidents farmers in the UK have had to endure, including a man who lost his arm after he was dragged into a potato harvester and another who was attacked by a cow.

Other incidents saw one farmer fracture her skull after a quadbike incident and someone else who fell 28ft through a shed roof.

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories