Tractor driver crushed at field in Rushbrooke near Bury St Edmunds Suffolk Coroner hears

A farm worker was crushed to death in a field near Bury St Edmunds after failing to follow safety procedures an inquest heard.

Darren Prentice, 42, of Kiln Cottages, Rede had been driving a tractor towing a de-stoning machine at Howe Hill, Sandy Lane, Rushbrooke on April 17.

Suffolk Coroners’ Court in Ipswich heard on Monday that it is believed Mr Prentice had stopped his tractor and climbed onto the machine to clear a blockage.

But despite being aware of the ‘safe stop’ safety rules he had not switched off the tractor engine.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive concluded that it was likely that Mr Prentice was standing on a conveyor belt when the blockage was cleared and this allowed the machine to resume operating.

Fellow worker Tommy Bevan went to investigate after he notice Mr Prentice’s tractor had not moved for about 20 minutes. He found him trapped beneath a metal bar and not breathing.

A disc cutter was used to free Mr Prentice but attempts to resuscitate him failed. He died as a result of crush injuries said Dr Daniel Sharpstone, assistant Suffolk Coroner.

Jessica Churchyard. from the HSE said the de-stoning took place before potato planting for Fornham Growers Ltd and adequate risk assessments had been in place, including stickers inside the tractor cab reminding operators to switch off .

Mr Prentice was familiar with the machine and had earlier been seen to follow the ‘safe stop’ procedure to clear another blockage.

Ms Churchyard said the HSE was satisfied there had been no breaches of health and safety legislation and no action was planned.

Pieces of metal had previously been found in the field and a one metre long piece, which may have caused the blockage, was found near the scene.

Looking at why Mr Prentice may have got onto the machine Ms Churchyard said: “It may be that if it was blocked it gave him a false impression that it was isolated.”

Ms Churchyard said: “The incident arose because Darren Prentice did not follow the correct procedure.”

Dr Sharpstone recorded a conclusion of accidental death.