Horrific cow attack that killed BBC farming star
A tragic farming accident claimed the life of Derek Roan, a well-known Scottish farmer who appeared on the BBC's This Farming Life.
Derek Roan, a well-known Scottish farmer who appeared on the BBC’s This Farming Life was killed in a tragic farming incident. The 71-year-old died following an attack by a cow at his family-run Barnbarroch Farm near Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the agricultural community.
The fatal accident occurred on 19 June 2022, when Mr. Roan attempted to move a Galloway beef cow and her newborn calf back to the main herd. The animal, weighing approximately 550kg (1,200lbs), had recently given birth. This is a time when cows are often particularly protective and unpredictable.
It is believed that the cow, along with her calf, had become separated from the herd a few days prior to the incident due to suckling issues with the calf, who was approximately a week old at the time. At 4pm that day, Mr Roan’s son saw his father’s quad bike in a field with indicators on and assumed he was working nearby.
About half an hour later he found Mr Roan lying on his side with injuries to his face and an ambulance was called. He was rushed to hospital but later died at Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary.
According to a fatal accident inquiry held at Dumfries Sheriff Court, Mr. Roan suffered severe chest trauma during the incident and sadly succumbed to his injuries. Sheriff Joanna McDonald, who presided over the case, concluded that there were "no reasonable precautions" that could have prevented the tragedy and found no faults or defects in the farm's working systems.
Mr. Roan was a highly experienced stockman, well-acquainted with the dangers of cattle handling. He had spent his entire life living and working at Barnbarroch Farm, managing the business alongside his wife and two sons. In addition to Barnbarroch, Derek was part of his family's two dairy farms and helped to run their successful milk delivery business, which is still running today.
The family’s appearances on This Farming Life introduced viewers across the UK to the daily realities, challenges, and rewards of running a working farm. The series built a following for its candid portrayal of rural life and the deep bonds within farming families.
Tributes poured in from across the farming community, honouring Mr Roan as a dedicated family man and respected figure in Scottish agriculture.
In a statement issued at the time, his family said: "We are totally devastated and still in shock at what has happened and it will take some time for us to come to terms of not having him around. All Derek's hard work was for his two passions in life - his family and his farms. Derek was well-known within the farming community and many other circles. He will be sadly missed by all."
