Shropshire farmer, 74, killed by falling hay bales

Tributes have been paid to Bill Dunn, who was working on his farm at Little Woodhouse in Hopton Wafers, near Cleobury Mortimer.

Mr Dunn was working on his farm at Little Woodhouse in Hopton Wafers, near Cleobury Mortimer, when the accident happened.

An inquest was opened and adjourned this week and the funeral is set to take place at St Mary's Church in Cleobury Mortimer on July 19.

Mr Dunn, 74, was president and former captain of Cleobury Cricket Club, a former chairman of the Burwarton Show and an ex-vice chairman of South Shropshire National Farmers Union.

He also farmed at Prizeley Farm in Cleobury Mortimer before moving to Hopton Wafers.

He leaves wife Brenda, three children and five grandchildren.

His daughter Alison said today the family had been "inundated" with messages of sympathy and support since his death last Thursday and expected hundreds to turn out for the funeral.

Lifelong friend Henry Yates, who Mr Dunn succeeded as chairman of Burwarton Show, said: "This has come as a massive shock to the whole of south Shropshire.

"He was found under some big bales of hay by his wife and his daughter. He was moving some of them but for some reason got off the machine. No-one really knows what happened after that.

"Bill was an extremely popular man in south Shropshire and was a well-known character and sportsman. The farming community in this part of the world is in a state of shock. It was all people were talking about at market on Tuesday."

Shropshire NFU chairman David Mills, who farms at Craven Arms, said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this time and he will be sorely missed by his many friends in the farming community and all those who knew him.

"Bill was a great supporter of the union, was South Shropshire NFU branch chairman from 1973 to 1974, a keen cricketer and a supporter of Ludlow Hunt."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Steve Parry said the air ambulance, a community first responder and a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle all attended the scene.

He said: "Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medics, the patient was pronounced dead at the scene."

West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: "The Health & Safety Executive has been informed and are investigating the circumstances. The coroner has also been informed."

Leave your tributes to Bill Dunn in the comments below. Discussion of the incident will not be published.