Home / Disasters and Accidents / Farmer dies trapped under quad bike in cold
Farmer dies trapped under quad bike in cold
15 Jul
Summary
- Farmer found after 16 hours trapped under quad bike.
- Died from hypothermia due to a farm accident.
- Wife suggests technology could have saved him.
A farmer, David Charles Knipe, aged 65, died from hypothermia after being trapped for around 16 hours beneath his quad bike on his farm in Tebay, near Penrith. The accident occurred on December 5, 2024, when Knipe drove his vehicle into a wooded area.
He was discovered the following morning still alive but disoriented, trapped by the quad bike. Despite being airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital, he passed away shortly after experiencing two cardiac arrests. Pathologists confirmed hypothermia as the cause of death, noting the unlikely contribution of a suspected fractured pelvis.
His wife, Christine Knipe, expressed that advanced safety features, such as third-party alerts for toppled quad bikes, could have saved his life. She emphasized that farms are inherently dangerous places and advocated for such technologies to protect others.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive revealed several defects with the quad bike, including a missing brake lever. However, evidence indicated Knipe was an experienced rider who regularly serviced his vehicle. He was caught on a steep, rough slope while towing a trailer, leading to the quad bike toppling and trapping him.
