Farmer Killed in Tractor Rollover [96KY088]

On August 22, 1996, a 75-year-old farmer was killed when the tractor he was operating rolled over onto him. He was using a 1979 IH Farm all 140, towing a flatbed wagon along the perimeter of a tobacco patch. As he turned left to proceed around the field, the left tractor wheels went over an embankment, causing the tractor to roll over. The victim was crushed under the rear wheel of the overturned tractor and died of traumatic asphyxia due to chest injuries. He was discovered by his son two hours after the incident when he did not return to the farmhouse for lunch. In order to prevent similar incidents, the KY FACE investigator concluded that: To provide protection for operators, tractors should be retrofitted with Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS) and seatbelts