David Fairclough died earlier this year while changing a tractor tyre on his farm. Photo / Bonnie Fairclough

Farmer 'Clever Dave' found trapped by 316kg tractor tyre in fatal farm incident

Author: Brianna McIlraith,
Publish Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2026, 8:42am

Farmer David Fairclough regularly changed his own tractor tyres.

So when one was flat earlier this year, “Clever Dave” as he was known to friends and family, got to work.

But that day, the job proved fatal.

Fairclough’s neighbour found him curled up inside the tyre with his head and arms trapped between the tyre and wheel rim.

The father of three was pronounced dead at his Canterbury farm on January 18.

Today, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale released findings into the 43-year-old’s death, at the farm in Albury, about 45km west of Timaru, that he owned and operated.

According to the findings, his wife, Bonnie, said her husband’s tractor had a flat tyre the previous week and he decided to replace two.

This was the type of work a self-trained farmer like Fairclough would routinely do himself.

The tractor trye had a weight of 316kg. Photo / George Clerk

On the day of his death, a neighbouring farmer stopped in to Fairclough’s place. There he found Fairclough’s ute parked outside his workshop, alongside a small digger with a strop dangling from its arm.

A new tractor tyre was lying flat on the workshop floor.

As the neighbour approached, he saw Fairclough curled up inside the tractor tyre, with his head and arms trapped between the tyre and the wheel rim.

When he was removed from the tyre, three straight tyre levers were found within it.

A 316kg tyre

WorkSafe commenced an investigation into Fairclough’s death.

The workplace watchdog’s investigation report found the new tyre weighed 316kg and could not be moved unaided.

WorkSafe reconstructed the scene and found it was likely that Fairclough used the excavator and tyre levers to remove the old tyre.

He had then likely placed it on the ground and aligned the new tyre on top, intending to get the lower bead of the tyre over the upper rim of the wheel.

Fairclough may then have climbed on to the wheel to get the last of the tyre bead over the rim. He had been using the tyre levers.

WorkSafe found the tyre likely dropped with force, partially trapping Fairclough, who may have been leaning forward at the time.

It noted that Fairclough should have used C-bar tyre levers instead of straight levers, as they provide greater leverage, and should have positioned himself standing inside the tyre.

WorkSafe ruled it was not in the public interest to take its investigation further and instead took a public guidance approach, educating farm workers on safe practices when changing agricultural tyres.

Coroner Borrowdale found it was not necessary to open an inquiry into the death and instead endorsed the issuance of guidance.

Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson David Birkett said it supported the expert comments that have been made, especially in relation to large tyres.

Accidents happen to even ‘clever people’

Bonnie Fairclough told NMZE their family had been left heartbroken by the tragedy.

“Dave had many nicknames, though he was recognised by everyone as ‘Clever Dave’.

“Dave got great satisfaction from making, fixing and improving things himself.

“His death has been a great shock to all who knew him, and a reminder that accidents can happen to even the most clever people.”

She said her husband led a life full of adventure and fun, was always positive and “took on everyday with a smile”.

“Everyone he came in contact with will carry those memories of him forever, he will never be forgotten.

“We are truly grateful for the love, kindness, and support that has surrounded our family during this time.”

Brianna McIlraith is a Queenstown-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the lower South Island. She has been a journalist since 2018 and has had a strong interest in business and financial journalism.