Man killed on NI farm was 'kindest person you could meet'

David Crockett was killed following an incident on a farm close to the border between counties Londonderry and Donegal (Bridgend).

The incident occurred at around 5.00pm on Monday afternoon near Coshquin Road.

The details of what occurred have not yet been confirmed but one of Mr. Crockett's sons was also injured.

Mr. Crockett's son was taken to hospital where his injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

Mr. Crockett's family farmed the land near Coshquin Road for generations and the farm straddles both sides of the border.

“My grandfather’s name was Henry Crockett,” said Mr. Crockett in an interview with The News Letter in 2017.

“He had come from farming stock in Donegal. There were about seven or eight of them and he went into Derry to work, him and his brother.

“Henry worked in the shirt factory. He came in and bought this land in 1911, just before the First World War. His health was affected big time – by the bureaucracy, the customs men.”

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, described Mr. Crockett as the "kindest person you could meet".

"David Crockett and his family are very well known in the area.

"David was the kindest person you could meet.

"Would always take time to say hello if you saw him.

"He was a real family man and such a hard worker - it's a sad day for the communities on both side of the border," the neighbour added.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

“HSENI is aware of the incident on a farm on the Coshquin Road, Londonderry [on Monday] and is making enquires.

"Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this tragic time.”

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police attended the scene of the sudden death of a man at a property in the Coshquin Road area of Derry/Londonderry shortly before 5pm on Monday June 8.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and Health and Safety Executive have been informed."