Victim’s family urges checks

THE family of a man who died behind the wheel of a tractor in 2015 has urged a Tasmanian coroner to consider recommending additional safety measures for tractor drivers.

Coroner Simon Cooper is investigating the death of Alexander Dale Hall, 63, who was mowing a paddock for Brighton Council near the council’s waste transfer station on October 26, 2015.

The inquest heard Mr Hall’s tractor had rolled down a steep hill, that was not part of the area he was to mow, and came to a stop in the Jordan River.

State forensic pathologist Christopher Lawrence yesterday told the inquest it was possible something had happened that caused Mr Hall to lose control of the tractor.

Dr Lawrence said he could not rule out the possibility Mr Hall had suffered an injury while driving. This could have happened if something had caused the tractor to halt and he injured himself on an item in the cab, or a medical emergency he may have suffered.

“He’s embarked on a path that nobody would choose to use so I think that would suggest there has been some sort of medical impairment, but, I have to say, the evidence isn’t that strong,” Dr Lawrence said.

He said Mr Hall suffered a “quite substantial” broken neck in the accident, most like- ly caused by the impact with the water.

Mr Hall was employed by his nephew, Peter Jones, whose company was subcontracted by Brighton Council to mow part of the paddock.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Sam Thompson, read a statement from Mr Hall’s family, asking Mr Cooper to consider making the following recommendations: TRACTOR drivers should not work alone, but if they are working alone there should be more regular checks on them. TRACTOR drivers should conduct a physical check of the work area before starting a job. THREE-POINT restraint lapsash seatbelts should be fitted in tractors, rather than a simple lap belt. TYRE tread be checked before work starts.

Mr Hall’s daughter Katy Hall told the inquest her father was “so missed by us”.

“I still remember the day I got the phone call from Mum and I never want that to happen to anyone else,” Ms Hall said.

“I put no blame on you, Peter,” she said to Mr Jones.

Mr Jones said: “It would just be nice to know what happened”.

Mr Cooper said it was “extremely unlikely” he would make any findings that Mr Jones had done anything that contributed to his uncle’s death.

The inquest was adjourned for submissions and findings.