Yorkshire Dairy Goats ordered to pay £200,000 after death of 'much loved' worker struck by reversing telehandler

A major goat milk producer has been ordered to pay £200,000 after a 'much loved and extremely valued' worker died after being struck by a reversing telehandler.

Janet McDonald, 52, who had worked at Yorkshire Dairy Goats at Seaton Ross since she was 16, suffered "catastrophic" crush injuries in the accident on on August 1 2018.

She was flown to hospital by air ambulance but died later that day.

Yorkshire Dairy Goats, which was established in 1986, farms in excess of 3,500 goats and was a place Janet "clearly loved", Hull Crown Court was told.

The company, which sells goat’s milk, butter, cheese and yoghurts to a number of UK shops and supermarkets, pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety at a hearing in January.

Sentencing on Friday Judge John Thackray QC said Janet's working practices had been changed in 2018 to accomodate her reduced mobility and her jobs included pressure washing, tagging the goats or vaccinating them.

The driver had been mucking out a pen and was reversing when he heard Janet calling out.

The Judge said: “He immediately got out out of his cab and ran to help Janet who was between the front and back wheels.

“She was gravely injured but was to say that she thought (the driver) was driving forwards.”

A gate had been closed to stop people coming into the area. However there were no signs to say do not enter.

The youngest of five siblings, she had been especially close to her sister Elizabeth who had been diagnosed with cancer.

The court heard that the sisters would speak every day and following Janet's death Elizabeth had counselling. She had since died.