A POPULAR North Yorkshire farmer died after being struck by a solid metal gate during a storm, a coroner heard.

Robert James Cass, who was 75, apparently died while going about his daily business at Brotherton Cottage Farm, in Sutton-on-the-Forest, on February 22, during a week of heavy winds, sleet and rain.

His body was discovered by his friends of more than 40 years, John and Rita Polkey, who had arrived at the farm to spend one of their regular social evenings together.

After finding the house empty, they searched the surrounding farm buildings, and found Mr Cass lying on the concrete floor of a yard, beneath the gate, which had come loose from its post.

A post-mortem revealed Mr Cass had died from severe head injuries, including a fractured skull, which were consistent with those which might be sustained from being struck by the gate.

North Yorkshire East coroner Michael Oakley also heard that a health and safety officer had visited the farm the following day, as Mr Cass' death was classed as an industrial accident. But the officer said the maintenance of the gate "could not be faulted".

The officer also noted that the same conditions were prevalent the following day, and indicated that the gates, which were made of iron and asbestos, could "easily overpower an elderly person with considerable force" if they were blown shut by high winds.

Giving evidence, Mr Polkey said Mr Cass had complained to him several times about the gates, and the difficulty he had in managing them, in the months preceding his death.

Mr Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest, Mr and Mrs Polkey remembered a man who was "a friend to everyone".

"Rob was involved in so many things; he would do anything for anyone," said Mrs Polkey.

"He used to organise dances to raise money for Huby and Sutton Show, and I think he started the Easingwold Young Farmers' group."

"He would lend anybody anything, never charging for it. He would even lend people ropes for tug-o-war contests; anyone who wanted anything would ask him."

Mr Cass was involved with Stillington Cricket Club, and he was a member and former field master of the York and Ainsty Hunt, as well as a past captain of the local shoot.

He was also a regular patron of the New Inn, at Huby.

A relative of Mr Cass, who asked not to be named, said: "He was just so friendly and welcoming. We had only really come to know him in recent years, but after this reunion, he was always insisting on staying in touch."

Updated: 12:08 Tuesday, September 10, 2002