4-year-old boy dies in tractor accident

When I was young they used to show a film "Apaches" about children being killed on farms. One of them was falling under a tractor. Maybe they should show the film here.

4-year-old kids are too young to be allowed to ride on tractors...Because of my experience working with them I can tell.

Even if this story is common, its always tragic.

I grew up on a farm too and it's not such a freaky accident. First of all, tractors have low speed, but incredible torque. I remember you really have to hang on when they first start because you're usually knocked backwards by the sudden start. After that, it's usually smooth, but there are many ruts and obstacles out there that knock people about so you have to be pretty vigilant. That said, I agree with many out there that it's a great thrill to ride something like that especially at a young age, but it's definitely not the safest thing to do.

I wonder if there is any law against endangering a child by, for example, allowing him/her to ride on a tractor without a secure passenger seat.

My brother and I use to ride together on my grandfather's tractor all the time back in America. This case is just a sad freak accident.

Knew an older guy who died of massive injuries because a tractor tipped over on him. Tractors don't have seat belts so you can conceivably jump to safety. Farming is a dangerous profession!

I used to ride in my grandfather's tractor but it was enclosed. This is a tragic accident, but it makes me think what could have happened if the great grandfather fell out. He'd also have been killed. A cheap fiberglass canopy could easily be retrofitted to tractors in Japan, so it's about time they started requiring it by law.

Tractor accidents like this happen all the time. It is usually an old driver that gets caught though.

I don't think I would allow my 5 year old on a tractor, but I know that these types of tractor accidents are common.

What a horrible way to go, and while I feel awfully sorry for the family and the granddad, who was probably just trying to show grandson some fun, he should have known better. When I was a kid I used to sit on my dad's lap as we went around the lawn on a riding mower, but there was no way I could have been exposed to the blade if I fell (unless he willingly turned around and went over me). But even THAT was probably not too smart.

Anyway, RIP.

I was always very happy to ride a farm tractor with my dad. What happened is really horrible. The boy must have been so excited. ( )

Gruesome! Wasn't such a smart idea granddad, was it?

None in Japan.

Make exception to the ‘no extra rider’ rule only under these conditions: when a second seat is provided on the tractor for instruction as long as you adhere to the Farm Implement Act, Reg. 369 of R.R.O 1990, Section 11 (1) & (2). The Farm Implement Act defines an “instructional seat” as such: “an area of sufficient size and shape with an integral or separate backrest in which a person, other than the operator, may be seated in a tractor or other self-propelled farm implement with an enclosed cab.”

ReformedBasher, Never seen a tractor with a seat and seat belt for passenger. You have?

Wow... tragic.

@Gurukun

Police said that there were no side doors or seat belts on the tractor.

Brilliant!! I didn't know tractors have seat belts for passengers. Thanks Keystones for the info.

Obviously you have not seen tractors with enclosed cabs, etc.

Knowing my biggest son's (3yo) love for everything with an engine, this boy must have been so happy, working on the field with his grandfather. Poor boy and family....

Tragic. And the poor great grandfather must be feeling terrible. Not a consolation at all, but I hope he was probably having the time of his life when it happened. imagine being a 4 year old boy riding a tractor - most little boys can only dream of that. Very very sad.

Poor kid.

Police said that there were no side doors or seat belts on the tractor.

Brilliant!! I didn't know tractors have seat belts for passengers. Thanks Keystones for the info.