The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has confirmed that it is investigating the death of a 77 year-old farmer who died in a farm accident in Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh.

In a statement HSENI said:

The farmer, who was named as Norman Foster, died in a freak bale accident on December 23.

He was laid to rest on December 27.

In a post on Facebook, his son Steven Foster paid tribute to his father.

He said:

"My father left us yesterday evening very unexpectedly. He was a very fit 77, out and about on the farm enjoying being his active self, when a freak accident happened. We’re all in shock."

The UK Health and Safety Executive has given advice to farmers on the dangers of with bales and that care must always be taken when working with bales

Health problems associated with handling and stacking bales can be caused by: