Donnybrook Farmer Jay Higgins Saves Lives Through Organ Donation After Tragic Farm Accident

Incident Overview

On an unspecified date in 2025, 46-year-old farmer Jay Higgins sustained fatal injuries while attempting to castrate a young calf on his family farm near Donnybrook in Western Australia. An elastrator tool was driven through his eye socket and into the left side of his brain when the animal kicked upward, causing catastrophic and irreversible neurological damage.

Mr Higgins was airlifted by RAC rescue helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma. After medical assessment confirmed no prospect of recovery, his family made the decision to withdraw life support. As a registered organ donor since 2002, Mr Higgins’s viable organs were donated, saving the lives of multiple recipients across Australia and New Zealand.

• Fatalities:
  • On an unspecified date in 2025, 46-year-old farmer Jay Higgins sustained fatal injuries while attempting to castrate a young calf on his family farm near Donnybrook in Western Australia
• Injuries:
  • None reported.

• On an unspecified date in 2025, 46-year-old farmer Jay Higgins sustained fatal injuries while attempting to castrate a young calf on his family farm near Donnybrook in Western Australia

WorkSafe WA was notified of the fatal farm accident. The regulator is investigating the circumstances of the incident as part of its statutory obligations under Western Australian workplace health and safety legislation.

WorkSafe WA is investigating this fatal farm accident. Any persons with information about the incident or farm safety practices at the Donnybrook property are encouraged to contact WorkSafe WA on 1300 307 877 or submit a report via worksafe.wa.gov.au.