Coroner urges farm safety after two fatal accidents this summer
Two area farmers died in separate accidents involving farm equipment, prompting a safety reminder from Barren County Coroner Tim Gibson.
GLASGOW, Ky. — Two farming accidents have claimed the lives of area farmers this summer, according to Barren County Coroner Tim Gibson.
During his monthly report to the fiscal court, Gibson urged farmers to use caution after his office investigated two separate farming-related deaths in recent months.
“Farmers, please be careful,” Gibson said.
Agriculture is among the most dangerous professions in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Gibson said Dennis M. Smith, 71, died June 25 after becoming trapped in the wrapping mechanism of a hay-wrapping machine at his Settles Road farm.
A second farmer, Gregory C. Rossi, 67, died July 16 after being pinned between his tractor and a trailer on his Metcalfe County farm.
According to Gibson, Rossi was unloading equipment from a trailer and stepped off the tractor to adjust the forks. As he stood between the tractor and the forks, the tractor moved forward, pinning him between the tractor and trailer.
Gibson said Rossi was transported to T.J. Samson Community Hospital and was being prepared for air transport when he died.
