William Sayers, 50, from Donemana, lost an arm in an accident on his family’s farm when he was 12 years old, an experience he described as ‘life-changing’.
William grew up with a father who had lost a leg due to a farming accident.
Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in Northern Ireland, with the profession accounting for 20% of workplace fatalities.
As a child, William Sayers dreamed of taking over his family’s farm, but he lost that dream in the ‘blink of an eye.’
“It was life-changing, and I had to accept that this was my new reality. Realising I could not do the things I used to and having to think about a different career as I always dreamed of myself taking over the farm,” says William.
The accident that took William’s arm happened when he was determined to finish spreading slurry on the family’s farm in Donemana, Co Tyrone. When checking how the tank was filling, Sayer’s unzipped coat became caught in the machinery.
“It was difficult to accept, not only for me, but for my parents as well. They had to help me a lot as a child. Their hopes were not going to work out. My own and my family’s expectation that I would be the fifth generation to take over the land.”
“Growing up on the farm was lovely; it was a wonderful place to live. Between the freedom, the animals, learning all of the different jobs, and nature, it was the most satisfying childhood. It felt safe,” says William.
This is the 13th annual Farm Safety Week, which brings attention to the danger farmers face every day.
“People are definitely much more aware now, which is good, but there’s definitely room for improvement. People are much more conscious, and the idea of farm safety is promoted more. It’s a team effort, the media take an interest, and the farmers’ union makes it clear. If there are no farmers, there is no food, there is no future,” says Sayers.
“Farm safety week is important to me, I lost an arm through a mistake I made. I never want the same thing to happen to anyone else. I feel a responsibility to help save people from that. People can have two arms, have the future they have always wanted as a farmer, if they’re farm safety conscious.”
William’s father lost his leg in a farming accident when Sayer was two.
“My father was always very good a giving advice. If I could give my 12-year-old self any advice, it would be to listen to him more. I could not get over the fact we had both been through such similar things.”
“I have to say it must have been daunting for him. We went to the same hospital, I’d go upstairs for the arm to be seen to, and he would go downstairs to get the leg seen. My father was very strong throughout it; not every parent would have been able to cope. It was hard for both of us to come to terms with. I blamed myself for not listening to him more, and I paid a heavy price for it. If my story can prevent someone from losing their life or being seriously injured, then it is worth telling,” says William.
Colm Quinn, 40, a Castlewellan farmer from Co. Down, narrowly avoided losing his eyesight after being struck by a plank of wood.
“Farming has always been a part of our family. I grew up on a farm, and now my son, Eoin, is growing up on a farm.”
“I was building an extension onto our shed when screwing in a piece of wood, the screw somehow came loose and hit me in the corner of the eye. It was challenging to get down because I was alone, and I was in a lot of pain,” says Colm.
“The doctor at Downpatrick hospital consulted with a doctor at the Royal, and it was decided I needed 3 stitches. If it had been a millimetre the other way, I would have lost my eye.”
“I am 40 now, I have seen some hard times, I like to think I am a tough person. I was trying to get down, and the blood was running out of my eye. After the accident, I am definitely more wary of working alone and making sure I wear my safety goggles,” Colm added.
Colm’s son, Eoin, aged 8, was very emotional about the accident when it happened.
“I wish he were wearing his glasses. I always tell him he has to wear the glasses, even if he is only cutting wood for two seconds,” says Eoin.
“It is important for children to be on the farm, whilst being very mindful of the surroundings and keeping them safe. There’s no better way for them to learn the family business,” says Colm.
| Occupation/Age | Employment Category | Description | Date |
| Farmer 81 | Retired | Animal | 20.07.2024 |
| Farmer 56 | Self-Employed | Struck by a falling object | 26.07.2024 |
| Farmer 64 | Self-Employed | Struck by a falling object | 07.08.2024 |
| Farmer 81 | Self-Employed | Struck by a tractor | 02.01.2025 |
| Farmer 41 | Self-Employed | Machinery | 18.03.2025 |
In NI, throughout 2024/2025, five agricultural workers were killed according to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland. Across Great Britain, for the same period, 23 workers were killed, with 48% of those being over the age of 65.
Figures, released today by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) showed that, in addition to the 23 farm workers, 4 members of the public lost their lives last year in Great Britain. Tragically, 2 of the members of the public killed were children, both of whom had accidents whilst using All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Being killed by moving or overturning vehicles is again the main cause of fatality in the industry in 2024/25.
For William and Colm, sharing their story is not about reliving their trauma; it is about making sure other people can be safe at their work. As Farm Safety Week begins, their message is clear: every job on the land comes with risks, but with care and caution, lives can be saved.
Kate Harkin 
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