7/01/2008

News Item

Woman, 76, killed by tractor

AN elderly woman directing a tractor on her dairy farm died when she was crushed by the vehicle.

The woman, 76, was working on her Echuca Village property, just east of Echuca, with the help of her daughter when the tragedy happened about 7.40am yesterday.

The Glanville Rd farmer, who was well-respected in the area, was standing behind the tractor near an irrigation channel when the vehicle began to move backwards.

The woman's daughter, a 48-year-old from Harcourt, was driving the tractor.

Police believe the elderly farmer was directing her daughter.

The tractor had a "carry-all grille" attached to its back.

Police said: "The tractor reversed towards a channel bank when it is believed that the driver lost control.

"The elderly woman was pinned to the channel bank by the rear tiller of the tractor and died at the scene."

Rural Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said there was nothing they could do to save the elderly woman.

WorkSafe is investigating because the accident happened on a farm.

Spokesman Michael Birt said it was the second workplace death of this year.

Father of three Stephen Jamieson died when his bulldozer rolled while carving a firebreak in the Snowy River National Park on January 2.

"Condolences to the family concerned," Mr Birt said of the Echuca Village farm death.

"But the message to the broader community is . . . people have to take extreme care when operating heavy equipment or working near it on the ground.

"Often with lots of people returning to work after a break like Christmas, their minds are not always on the job, they are still in holiday mode and that can lead to shortcuts."

There were 23 workplace deaths in Victoria last year.

Surprisingly, 16 happened in the metropolitan area.

"Country areas have really improved, off and on farms," Mr Birt said.

"We've been working hard to get the message through . . . In small rural communities, people know each other and the impact of fatal incidents are felt hard."

Police will prepare a brief for the State Coroner.

source: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23015758-2862,00.html