84-year-old Farmer Died When Tractor Overturned while Feeding Cattle on Hillside

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

In the late winter of 2005, an 84-year-old male farmer died when his tractor overturned. The victim was driving his tractor for cattle feeding during the early evening hours. When he had not returned within four hours, the family searched and found him 30 minutes later. The victim was pinned underneath his overturned tractor that had come to rest wheels-up. Examination of tire tracks at the scene suggested that the tractor was travelling at a fairly moderate speed down slope when it overturned after either striking a hay bale or making a hard left turn. Emergency responders made no attempt at rapid extrication, and no resuscitation effort was performed. Traumatic asphyxia accompanied by blunt force trauma was listed as the cause of death.

84-year-old Farmer Died When Tractor Overturned while Feeding Cattle on Hillside [PDF 110 KB]