Caithness farmer found dead in field
A LOCAL farmer has died while working with cattle on his holding near Halkirk.
Sandy Banks (64) was found lifeless in a field on Sour Farm on Monday afternoon.
Police are treating his death as a tragic accident while a probe has begun by the Health and Safety Executive.
Mr Banks, Larlyn, Calder Road, had gone out alone on calving duties on his family farm, on the northern outskirts of the village.
The father-of-two is believed to have been working with a calf and a suckler cow when the tragedy occurred.
HSE officials are seeking to determine whether Mr Banks was knocked down or dragged by the cow and/or had taken ill. The farmer was found by his wife, Ella, who contacted the emergency services.
A police spokesman said: "There do not appear to be any suspicious suggestions. It looks like it has been a tragic accident. A report has gone to the procurator fiscal and the body removed for a postmortem examination."
Mr Banks’ funeral is to take place on Thursday at noon. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Laura and Lynne.
