Investigation into Six Fatal Falls from Height Begins

AN INVESTIGATION is to start into the deaths of six men from a fall from height in the agricultural sector.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is starting a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the falls from height at farms across Scotland. A preliminary hearing will be held on 19 November 2025 at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.

The inquiry will hear evidence on the facts and circumstances of these six deaths. It will include evidence on safety when working at height and HSE guidance on good practice.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “Their tragic deaths are a sad reminder of the danger of working at height. It is my hope that this FAI will raise awareness on safe practices when working at height.”

Qualified to Work at Height

The agricultural sector consistently sees the highest number of deaths from falls from height – after the construction sector. Deaths often occur from a fall from a fragile roof when agricultural workers do roof work themselves. Calls for the sector to use the services of professional roofers who are qualified to work at height frequently follow.

Six Fatal Falls from Height

The six men who died are:

• Alan Brisbane owned and ran A and K Farming in Stirling. He died on18 September 2023 after falling while working alone in a barn on 15 September 2023.
• Charles Emslie owned and ran a farm at Law Farm in Aberdeenshire. He died on 7 September 2024 after falling through a grain store skylight.
• Colin Gibson was self-employed and worked in property maintenance. He died on 12 April 2022 after he fell through the roof of a cow shed he was repairing on 7 October 2020 at Littlehill of Knaven Farm in Peterhead.
• Hugh MacPhail owned and ran Callachally Farm on the Isle of Mull. He died on 6 July 2023 after falling through the roof of a sheep shed he was repairing.
• Dale Pattinson was the sole director of DWP Roofing and Cladding Ltd. He died on 26 August 2023 after falling through a cattle shed skylight on Bassendean Farm in the Scottish Borders on 25 August 2023.
• James Smith owned and ran Bowhouse Farm in Stewarton. He died on 22 August 2024 after falling through a cow shed roof.

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