Farmer died after being trapped under quad bike

The inquiry was told that Ennion was a very experienced farmer and quad bike user.

He had been working herding sheep with his grandson and a contractor.

He was last seen by them at about 19:30 but when he had not arrived home by the next morning, his grandson went to search for him.

The farmer was subsequently discovered on his back, with the bike tipped onto its right hand side.

The inquiry heard that he was “cold to the touch, pale, unresponsive and not breathing.”

His grandson was unable to lift the quad bike and he returned to the farm to help guide emergency services.

Sheriff Wood said: “It is a matter of conjecture beyond the ability of this court to surmise what the purpose of Mr Ennion’s trip on the old cart track might have been, or how he came to be pinned under the quad bike.

“In light of his experience in the use of quad bikes, and his knowledge of his land, it seems unlikely that he would have deliberately undertaken a dangerous manoeuvre that led to the quad bike rolling and coming to rest on his head and chest.

“There is no conclusive medical evidence of a cardiac event, and the cause of death is clear.”