Deaths and injuries

Many dangers lurk for small children on the farm

Two-year-old Roland died in an accident involving a Hoftrac (symbolic image) on a farm in Kirchberg ob der Donau.

(Bild: TEAM FOTOKERSCHI / MARTIN SCHARINGER)

The fatal accident involving little Roland (2) is unfortunately not an isolated case. Farm work poses an enormous risk, especially for children under the age of four. The biggest one is the heavy vehicles that are used. The figures collected by experts on how many small children end up in hospital every year as a result are frightening.

Two-year-old Roland is dead - run over by his grandfather's (66) Hoftrac at his parents' farm in Kirchberg, Germany. The relatives are devastated, but there is great sympathy and compassion for them. "Everyone is trying their best to comfort the grieving family," says Pastor Josef Hofer, who rang the death knell at the evening service last Saturday and informed the congregation about the tragedy.