THE family of a young boy crushed to death on a farm have spoken of their tragedy as part of a national rural safety campaign.

Lewis Brook, seven, was killed when a huge farm machine fell on top of him as he helped on his family's land in North Devon. The incident happened while Lewis was helping his uncle, David Lewis , change fittings on a cultivator, which is used to till soil.

More than two years on, Lewis's parents Graham and Cathryn have told how they will never fill the void left by the loss of their son.

They decided to tell others of their ordeal as part of a hard-hitting national campaign to save the many lives lost in accidents on farms.

Speaking to the Western Morning News yesterday, Mrs Brook, 45, said: "It's important to keep the memory of Lewis special, and hopefully taking part in this campaign will help others – it might save another life." Lewis's death is one of a string of tragedies which occur every year on farms across the country. In the South West alone, eight people died last year, while 76 sustained serious injuries. Another 113 had to have at least three days off work as a result of farm-related injuries. Nationally, 42 people lost their lives.

The scale of the problem has led the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to renew its farm safety campaign, by inviting the Brook family to talk about their experience.

Their beloved "well-mannered, bubbly and mischievous" boy, like many his age, enjoyed shadowing the grown-ups as they went about their daily work.

But in September 2006, Lewis joined his uncle as he tried to fix a cultivator, which is used to plough fields with a tractor. It was being propped up by a digger, but the cultivator fell – crushing Lewis under it.

The Brook family is still coming to terms with their loss and in March, they had to endure the trauma of sitting through an inquest into their son's death.

Mr Lewis told the inquest he tried to pull Lewis to safety as he saw the metal falling – but did not get there in time to prevent the tragedy. Lewis's father then rushed over in a digger to lift the cultivator off the boy before both men tried in vain to revive him as they waited for an air ambulance.

Lewis died from multiple injuries and the jury in the case returned a verdict of accidental death.

Since then, they have been "hugely relieved" to learn the HSE will not be pursuing any further action against the family as a result of Lewis's death, finally bringing an end to their state of "limbo" since the tragedy.

Mr Brook yesterday explained why the family had taken the difficult decision to go public with their heartache in support of the safety campaign.

The 44-year-old said: "It's bad enough when something like this happens to you – you don't want it to happen to anybody else. For some time, we just couldn't believe it had really happened. We were completely numb for several days – just going around in a trance."

Mrs Brook added: "Then the quietness and the loneliness kicks in."

The couple had to try to stay strong for their daughters Katrina, 19, and 15-year-old Heather, who they said had to grow up quickly. Mrs Brook said: "They are very sensible, mature young ladies, and they have a great sensitivity for others."

The Brooks had hoped Lewis might one day consider becoming the fourth generation to take the helm at the beef and arable farm near Winkleigh. Mr Brook said: "He was just like I was when I was young, always out scratching around doing something. Someone once described him as my shadow. He was always around watching what I was doing. He was a typical farmer's son.

"Although he was only seven, he was showing every sign of going into farming, although you can never tell."

The couple said their strong faith and the support of friends and the farming community helped them pull through.

Mrs Brook said: "It felt like there was a ripple that went out. People were completely shocked, and their support was shown by the numbers who came to the funeral. A lot of people felt that it could have happened to any one of us - anyone who has children on a farm."

The HSE campaign tries to make farmers and agricultural workers stop and think about how they can work differently to reduce risks of death or serious injury. It features an information pack for farmers which includes real stories of fatalities on farms, such as the Brooks' ordeal, and how the death affected the family and business. It also includes a symbolic knot of baler twine which is carried by the farmer or worker as a reminder of their promise to their family to 'come home safe'.

The HSE has sent out 70,000 packs containing "promise knots" – a visual reminder to come home safely. Farmers can also send off, or call 0800 141 2805, for a free advice booklet on improving safety on their property.