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Coroner rules 15-year-old's Waikato farm death was accidental

NZ HeraldStuffRNZWednesday 19 February 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated

In this story WorkSafe New Zealand

Photo: NZ Herald (opens in new tab)

Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave has ruled that Jayden Disher's 2019 death was an accident. The 15-year-old was electrocuted while setting up an electric fence that touched low-hanging power lines on a Waikato farm. WorkSafe and the coroner have called for improved safety measures to prevent similar on-farm incidents.

How they headlined it

First reported by NZ Herald, Wed 19 Feb 2025, 3:00pm · 3 reports from 3 outlets over 39 minutes
  1. NZ HeraldNZ Herald

    Coroner finds 15yo Waikato farm hand Jayden Disher was electrocuted while setting up a fence (opens in new tab)

  2. StuffStuff

    Teen’s fatal electrocution on Waikato farm ruled as ‘accidental’ (opens in new tab)

  3. RNZRNZ

    Coronial finding into the death of young Waikato farming assistant wants WorkSafe to focus on initiatives to limit on-farm electrocutions (opens in new tab)