A FAMILY has paid tribute to a farmer killed in a tragic accident, describing him as "everyone’s hero".

Steven Coatsworth’s death while baling straw at Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, last Sunday, came as a shock to family, particularly as he was so safety-conscious that climbing fences, children playing in the farmyard and shortcuts around machinery were all big no-nos.

“It is a tragic waste of life, he had so much to live for,” said wife Wendy, who is a senior nurse at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

“It has reminded us how well thought of he was, he was hardworking and helped everybody he could.”

This was evident in November 2015, when the couple’s house near Hamsterley, County Durham, burned down. The fire had started when they were both in bed and Mr Coatsworth had to go back into the blaze to help his wife to safety.

“I wouldn’t have survived, I’m only alive because he came back and got me," she said. "He is my hero, he was everyone’s hero.”

The 51-year-old was in partnership with parents Bobby and Lilian and brother Anthony, who farm mostly sheep and suckler cows in the Hamsterley area.

His son William said: “My dad just loved family and farming, it was a way of life. He wasn’t a big socialiser as he’d rather be here on the farm, working with his sons and grandsons.

“He didn’t want a 50th last year, thought nobody would come, but there were lots of people there because he was well thought of – I don’t think he realised how much.”

Mr and Mrs Coatsworth met five years ago and soon knew they had found ‘forever love’.

“He said he knew during our first date he’d marry me, on our second date I knew and on the third date I came back to the farm for a drink and he gave me a card saying I had to wait to open it a year later,” said Mrs Coatsworth, 54.

“It had daisies on the front and inside said ‘will you marry me?’.

“He’s my soulmate.”

They married three years ago and each considered Mr Coatsworth’s three grown-up children – Amy, Emily and William – and Mrs Coatsworth’s two – Martin and Jade – as their own.

He adored his three grandchildren and was excited to have another three on the way, looking forward to seeing his family grow and dreaming some would stay in farming.

Mrs Coatsworth added: “Even though the grandchildren are young they’re all going to miss him, all their first words were grandad.

“He’ll be a big miss to many, he was one of those people you didn’t forget.”

Alongside the main family business, Mr Coatsworth had built up a small flock of Southdown sheep after buying a lamb as a gift for his wife and kept two Jersey cows so she could make butter.

He was a Newcastle United fan and enjoyed running, having taken part in events such as the Blaydon Races, Raby Castle run and Great North Run, which William will do in his place this year.

Mr Coatsworth’s funeral will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack, at 11am on Thursday and be followed by refreshments at Butterknowle Village Hall.

Donations will be collected for the Great North Air Ambulance which attended the scene of the accident and the family feels is a vital service for rural communities.