Farmer, 70, crushed to death by dog in tractor
Animal knocked forward lever in cab, inquest told
A FARMER was crushed to death by a tractor after his dog knocked the forward lever while inside the cab, an inquest heard.
Derek Mead suffered a fractured vertebrae and traumatic asphyxia in the tragic accident.
The 70-year-old had left his dog in the tractor with the engine running and it may have jumped up to see where he was, hitting the lever.
Multi-millionaire Derek was pinned against a gate by the five-ton vehicle. Paramedics rushed to his aid but he died at the scene, the inquest heard yesterday.
Health and safety inspector Simon Chilcott said at the hearing: “Whether the dog put its paws on the door to wait, or jumped up to see where its master has gone, he has most likely collided with the lever. He put machine into a forward motion. Operating the lever is no more difficult than using the indicator on your car.” Derek was found by his son Alistair at the sprawling farm in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, after the accident in June last year.
Alistair told the Bristol hearing his dad was lying in such a way to suggest “he had ducked to avoid it”.
Assistant coroner Dr Peter Harrowing concluded Derek’s death was an accident. The farmer was chairman of the Mead Group, which runs an auction centre and Puxton Park family attraction. He owned border collies and terriers.
His brother, Roger, was killed 30 years ago when his tractor overturned on farmland.