Abstract

A 63-year-old retired bus driver was pinned underneath a rear tractor tire after it overturned while he was bush hogging. The 37-year-old tricycle tractor, not equipped with a ROPS or a seatbelt, had a bush hog attached. On the morning of the incident, the operator and his brother were mowing a portion of a pasture. At about 9:30 am, the victim started mowing at the bottom of a steep slope, and then progressed toward the top of the ridge. In order to make turns he had to circle around three dogwood trees at the top of the ridge. His brother was mowing in a neighboring pasture at the time of the incident. When he noticed that he no longer heard the victim's tractor running, he went to check and discovered the victim pinned underneath the rear wheel of the tractor. He called the EMS\coroner's office at 4:10 pm. The victim was pronounced dead at 4:30 pm due to cervical fracture 4,5,6. Investigators conclude, in order to prevent future fatalities, tractor owners and operators should:

  • Retrofit tractors with Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS) and seatbelts;
  • Avoid operating tricycle tractors on steep terrain;
  • Avoid operating tractors on slick terrain;
  • Operators should be trained in tractor safety.

Document Type

Report

Release Date

6-30-1995

Incident Number

95KY047; 95KY04701

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