Boyfriend watched in horror as former public school girl, 22, was crushed to death by vintage tractor that she was trying to park at seaside holiday park

Chloe Louise Farrell, 22, was trying to park the vintage tractor at a holiday park
But she accidentally put it in second gear instead of reverse and it overturned
Her boyfriend was there and heard her shouting 'in a panic' before it crushed her

Published: 20:35 GMT, 19 December 2017 | Updated: 02:42 GMT, 20 December 2017

e-mail

View
comments

Chloe Louise Farrell, 22, (pictured) died when she was trying to reverse a tractor

A heartbroken boyfriend watched in horror as his 22-year-old girlfriend was crushed to death by a tractor she was trying to park, an inquest heard today.

Chloe Louise Farrell was behind the wheel of the vintage vehicle after the couple used it to tow a jet ski to the beach from a seaside holiday park.

Miss Farrell, a secretary from Colywn Bay, North Wales, was in the tractor when it overturned and crushed her chest.

An inquest heard she tried to turn the tractor around and accidentally put it into second gear when attempting to reverse at The Warren holiday park in Abersoch, Gwynedd.

Her boyfriend Andrew Huddlestone, 24, was nearby and heard her scream 'in a panic' before it fell on top of her.

The tractor was almost 50 years old and did not have a cab or an anti-roll ball and also had a hand and foot throttle.

North West Wales senior coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said: 'It appears Chloe Farrell decided to turn it around so it could be parked in the way it was normally parked. This turning manoeuvre went wrong and caused her death.

'She would probably have wanted to select reverse gear. But it would appear that the tractor was put into second gear. This is logically what probably happened so instead of going backward the tractor went forward,' the coroner said.

Mr Pritchard Jones said he believed Miss Farrell expected the tractor to stop or slow but it carried on into the hull of a rib and turned over, crushing her.

Mr Huddlestone said in a statement: 'We had a wonderful relationship and spent a lot of time at the Warren.'

He believed the tractor jolted forward and he heard Miss Farrell shouting 'in a panic.'

Mr Huddlestone said: 'I can only think Chloe may have been in the wrong gear. I am devastated by what has happened. My life will not be the same without Chloe and I miss her every day.'

PC Richard Davies, a collision investigator, said the second and reverse gears were next to each other.

The couple (pictured) used the vintage tractor to tow a jet ski to the beach from a seaside holiday park

He told the inquest: 'It's likely she could have put it into second instead of reverse.'

Pathologist Dr Mark Lord said the chest was crushed by the steering wheel.

Miss Farrell had been educated at Howells School at Denbigh then Rydal Penrhos public school at Colwyn Bay. She played hockey and netball and later studied sports at Llandrillo College.

She worked in the family business Crime Prevention Services.

A family tribute released through police said: 'She was fun, outgoing and had a great sense of humour. She lived life to the full and loved spending time with her many friends.

An inquest heard she accidentally put the tractor into second gear when attempting to reverse at The Warren holiday park in Abersoch, Gwynedd (pictured)

'She was passionate about Abersoch having holidayed at Tal y Fan and later The Warren since she was two years old.

'Chloe loved being out on the boat and jet-ski in all weathers and had spent long summers working in the village. She loved to travel and ski having recently holidayed in Austria and Banff.

'Chloe met her boyfriend Andy Huddlestone in Abersoch, they shared a strong bond as both of them had tragically lost their fathers ten years ago.

'Everyone is absolutely devastated by this tragic accident. Chloe will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate to meet her and who held her in great affection.'

Mr Pritchard Jones recorded a conclusion of an accident.