A teenage boy died of a brain injury and cardiac arrest after he was trapped under an overturned tractor, an inquest heard.
Aaron Anderson, 14, was a passenger on a John Deere Gator utility terrain vehicle (UTV), which flipped over on a farm in Burnopfield, County Durham, shortly before 8.30pm on December 21, 2025.
He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but died from his injuries in hospital on Boxing Day, five days after the incident.
A 13-year-old boy also sustained injuries in incident was taken to hospital and has since been recovering at home.
An inquest into Aaron’s death was opened at Crook Coroners’ Court on Thursday, where it was heard he was one of four people onboard the UTV at the time.
Coroners’ officer Alexis Blighe told the hearing: ‘I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Anderson was a passenger on a Gator 4×4 agricultural vehicle on farm land.
‘The vehicle had overturned and Mr Anderson had been trapped underneath.’
Aaron, from Consett, County Durham, died of a hypoxic brain injury and cardiac arrest, a post-mortem examination carried out by Dr Jennifer Bolton concluded.
Aaron Anderson, 14, died from a brain injury and cardiac arrest after a tractor he was on overturned, an inquest heard
Aaron’s family said he was ‘always happiest working on farms and fixing trucks’
The inquest was adjourned to be mentioned on April 13, 2026, at 9am.
In the days after the teen’s death, Aaron’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as a ‘cheeky chappie who was always smiling and would never fail to brighten up your day’.
They said: ‘He was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
‘Aaron was always happiest working on farms and fixing trucks. Even at the age of 14 he had an amazing work ethic and already had two apprenticeship offers.
‘Although we are saddened about the life he will never have, we are so thankful for the life he has lived and will cherish all the happy memories he left us with.
‘We have had an overwhelming response from our friends, family, and the local community who we can’t thank enough.
‘We would also like to thank the ambulance service, police, and most importantly the amazing staff at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and charities who have provided us with so much comfort in this difficult time.
‘Our thoughts and well wishes are also with everyone else affected by this tragic incident. We would now ask to be left in peace to grieve the loss of our son.’
Crowds of mourners came out to pay their respects to Aaron on January 16 as more than 40 trucks led a poignant procession towards Mountsett Crematorium in a tear-jerking tribute to the teen.
Durham Constabulary launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the tractor collision.
Road Policing Inspector Mick Todd previously said: ‘This was a horrific incident which has left two boys with very serious injuries.
‘Our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances.’