TODD Riggs, a farmer from Holsworthy, died following an accident at a farm in Shebbear.

Police were called to the farm at around 1pm on Tuesday, July 18, by the ambulance service. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “Police were informed that a man was found trapped under a trailer at a farm near Shebbear. The man was declared deceased at the scene.”

The spokesperson added that enquiries are underway and are being led by the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit.

Todd, 33, was a former pupil of Holsworthy Community College and the former chairman of Bradworthy Young Farmers’ Club, and was well known amongst the farming community.

Following his death, Todd’s parents, Ritchie and Pammy, and family wrote a fitting tribute to their ‘lovely son’. They wrote: “This end of a far too short road, such a shock for family and friends. Farming was what he wanted to do since he was tiny and what he did up to his last moment.

“Todd, our lovely boy, such an amazing person, fun, friendly and oh so knowledgeable. Proud parents just does not express it. Seeing our son, our little Todd, grow up and make his very own huge mark in the farming community, always spreading his special brand of kindness, generosity and caringness to people and all the wonderful animals he loved so much; an honour.

“The most wonderful bit of this tragic affair is to sense the huge amount of true respect and love he engendered from all ages of people here in Devon and worldwide.

“Todd Ivan Riggs, boy, do we all love you.”

Among Todd’s passions was cattle and showing them at the Royal Cornwall Show. He was well known for his involvement showing Holstein cattle for various exhibitors and will be missed by many. The Royal Cornwall Show’s committee wrote on Facebook: “We were very sorry to learn of the news that Todd Riggs, a well known face among the cattle lines here at the Royal Cornwall Show, passed away last week in a tragic accident.

“He will be very much missed.”

Todd’s closest friends have also paid tribute to a man they said was ‘kind, loving, funny, down to earth, hard working, humble, a showman and a gentleman’. In a joint statement, they said: “There is so much to be said about Todd, known to his friends as iceman, a true gentle giant. The biggest of hearts with an even bigger character! Known and loved by so many people far and wide, not just because of YFC and all the clubs he belonged to but because you only needed five minutes with him to love him.

“He lived his life to the full and quietly achieved so much within the farming industry, never boasting about his achievements, a real grafter who knew how to burn the candle at both ends, he would party as hard as he worked. Always a smile on his face and a pint in his hand.

“He loved farming and animals so much that it’s been known for him to bring a sheep into the pub with him, he certainly knew how to entertain all his friends — if there was a social occasion Todd would be there in the thick of it.

“A few words from his closest friends to describe him best — kind, loving, funny, down to earth, hard working, humble, a showman and a gentleman — he was just Todd and will be sorely missed by everyone.”

Saying ‘farewell to a friend’ Roland Ley and Jon Cleave wrote a touching tribute to Todd. They said: “It was with shock and disbelief that we learnt of Todd’s tragic passing on July 18, a young man at the centre of a close knit farming community, with friends in every corner of the county and beyond.

“His infectious enthusiasm, sharp wit and ready smile made him universally popular, which has been evident in the outpouring of grief. Few could be said to have had such an impact on so many, in such a short amount of time.

“We first met Todd through our time in Young Farmers, which many would regard as his first love. Friends recall him being a shy young lad, something he would quickly grow out of as he flourished in speaking competitions, stock-judging and stage productions. His ‘have a go’ attitude soon meant he was as at home articulating his views in a debate as he was playing an ugly sister in the clubs’ performance of ‘Cinderella’. In time he was elected chairman of his Bradworthy club and later Tarka Group, but there’s little doubt he would have said his best experience was his trip to Russia, having been awarded a travel scholarship in 2009. On passing the membership age, Todd continued to play an active role in YFC and served as a leader for both club and group, offering support and advice whenever needed. His regular attendance of South West area and national conventions meant he was still very much a familiar face with the members, catching up with old friends and winning new ones with his trademark grin.

“If Todd’s love was for YFC his passion was undoubtedly for farming and perhaps it was his early introduction to organic farming that fired his enquiring mind, but few could match his thirst for knowledge and desire to challenge convention in search of a better way of doing things. His love of dairy cows and regular stints in the cattle lines at agricultural shows earned him the respect of many a stockman who recognised his eye for detail and wonderful nature with animals.

“Todd also knew the importance of looking after the land, and more recently had joined the Bude Grassland Society. He regularly attended meetings and became a well respected member winning consecutive titles for his big baled silage. It was little surprise when he was elected chairman of the group in 2016 becoming both the youngest and only farm employee to hold the position.

“He was also on the organising committee of the Holsworthy & Stratton Agricultural Show to which he made a great contribution and where his fresh ideas and youthful enthusiasm will no doubt be sorely missed, even if — as he himself would admit — giving him responsibility for the bar was a bit like putting a fox in charge of the hen house.

“There’s barely space to mention all of his other interests, from his love of rugby — in particular the Exeter Chiefs — to his keen following of politics and current affairs, Todd’s knowledge seemed to know no bounds. But it would be remiss of us not to mention his treasured John Deere 2140, with which he attended many a charity tractor run, including one that he and a friend organised in 2015 raising over £700 for the Devon Air Ambulance.

“Perhaps what he will be most fondly remembered for was his love of a good party and he never passed on the chance to enjoy a few beers (and often many more) with friends. His ability to make a pint disappear before others had barely raised their glasses was legendary, and he was always the life and soul of any party. Despite this he was never known to have been late for work, even those early morning milking shifts, as many have commented ‘he worked hard and played hard’ and that’s just how he would want to be remembered.

“In his short time Todd touched so many lives and it’s been hard to find the words to do him justice, but to us he was good natured, good humoured and great company — what more could we have asked for in a friend? RIP Todd.”

The funeral service for Todd Ivan Riggs will be held on Friday, August 4, starting at 1.40pm. It will be held at North Devon Crematorium.

Attendees are asked not to wear black and to wear whatever they want — the brighter the better. No flowers, but donations to the Devon Air Ambulance would be welcomed.