Farmer 'crushed' by hay bales in Sussex

The Health and Safety Executive said Christopher Rolfe was airlifted to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery before starting months of rehabilitation in order to regain his mobility

Chris Brayford
clock • 4 min read
The Health and Safety Executive said poorly constructed stack of bales had contributed to the injuries Mr Rolfe has sustained on farm. (HSE)
Image:

The Health and Safety Executive said poorly constructed stack of bales had contributed to the injuries Mr Rolfe has sustained on farm. (HSE)

A farmer has recalled the harrowing moment of being caught underneath hay bales in a farm incident. Christopher Rolfe, from Horsham in West Sussex, had sustained four rib fractures when five hay bales,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Farm Safety

22 deaths reported on-farm since April

22 deaths reported on-farm since April

Farmers are being urged to make smart choices and protect themselves as the number of fatalities nearly reaches that of the 2024/25 April to March period which saw 23 deaths

clock 27 November 2025 • 2 min read
Farm fires cost the UK more than £100m last year, new NFU Mutual report reveals

Farm fires cost the UK more than £100m last year, new NFU Mutual report reveals

The leading causes of farm fires were electrical faults, arson and lightning strikes

clock 20 November 2025 • 2 min read
Road Safety Week: Farm Safety Foundation urges farmers to take extra care on rural roads

Road Safety Week: Farm Safety Foundation urges farmers to take extra care on rural roads

As Brake’s annual Road Safety Week gets underway, the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) is urging farmers across the UK to make rural road safety a top priority this winter

clock 17 November 2025 • 2 min read