By Patrick Meagher
GUELPH — There were 21 Ontario farm
fatalities in 2002. Only two were east of Toronto. A Durham County man was
found dead in a cow stall. A Hastings County man was attacked by a bull.
The most common fatalities – six cases – involved
tractors. The youngest victim last year was 2-years-old.
Farming is more dangerous than police work. In Ontario
one police officer is killed in action, on average, each year. There are
about 21,000 police officers and 60,000 farmers in Ontario.
Here are a list of the 21 farm fatalities, released by
the Farm Safety Association. Included is the age of each victim.
1. Victim, 2, was struck by the bucket of a skid
steer loader after falling from it.
2. A tractor, driven by victim, 15, rolled into a
ditch after striking an object.
3. Wagon fell on victim, 23, after hitting post
jack during repairs.
4. Victim, 24, was pulled into baler.
5. Victim, 25, fell from tree when limb broke.
6. Victim, 30, was electrocuted when auger
contacted live wires.
7. Victim, 31, was pulled into baler.
8. Victim, 37, of Durham County, was discovered in
cow stall.
9. Victim, 38, was stacking square bales in barn
when one fell on him.
10. Tobacco bin slipped and fell on victim, 38, in
kiln.
11. Victim, 45, killed after tractor rolled after
leaving road.
12. Victim, 55, was found under a cultivator after
it struck a tree.
13. Victim, 56, lost control of tractor while
traveling down steep hill.
14. Victim, 58, fell from fishing boat.
15. Victim, in his 60s, fell from barn roof while
making repairs.
16. Victim, 61, struck a support beam with a
tractor and the barn floor above collapsed.
17. Victim, 64, was run over by a tractor without
the brakes set.
18. Victim, age unknown, of Hastings County, was
attacked by a bull.
19.Victim, 65, had gone to clean manure from barn
and was found next morning.
20. Tractor rolled into pond pinning victim,78.
21. Victim, 79, became trapped under branches while clearing brush.