Drama during haymaking

81-year-old old farmer fatally run over by tractor

An 81-year-old man was run over by the wheels of a tractor while working in a meadow in Kirchberg ob der Donau on Saturday morning. The driver of the tractor had apparently overlooked the old farmer and rolled over him. There was no help for the critically injured old farmer, who died at the scene of the accident.

It was probably carelessness that cost the 81-year-old his life on Saturday. He and the tractor driver (31) were working together on agricultural work in a meadow in the morning. 

While the 31-year-old was driving the tractor and loading the mown hay, the old farmer was working on foot with a wood rake. 

When the younger man reversed his vehicle at around 10.50 a.m., he probably failed to notice that the 81-year-old was standing directly behind him. The senior citizen could no longer avoid the vehicle and was run over and critically injured. 

When the tractor driver noticed the accident, he immediately called the emergency services. However, an emergency medical crew was unable to help the old man and could only determine that he had died. 

A crisis intervention team had to look after the shocked 31-year-old and the 81-year-old's widow.