Tractor accident in Lobmingtal: driver trapped under vehicle!

Tractor accident in Lobmingtal: driver trapped under vehicle!

On May 28, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in the community of Lobmingtal, Styria, in which a 47-year-old tractor driver from the Murtal district lost his life. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on “Sonnberg” when the tractor, which was equipped with a mower, left the road and fell about 200 meters over a slope. The tractor overturned before coming to a stop on a forest road. The driver was trapped under the vehicle. Despite the rapid help of a large contingent of emergency services, including the Großlobming, Kleinlobming and Knittelfeld fire departments, as well as the Red Cross and a rescue helicopter, the man died at the scene of the accident. The relatives of the deceased are now being cared for by the crisis intervention team. The state police department is currently ruling out third-party negligence. The fire department was alerted by the victim's wife, who was worried about her husband returning home late.

Deployment of the fire brigade

Following the accident, extensive firefighting efforts were required. At 7:00 p.m., the fire department was able to successfully intervene in another incident in which a tractor with a mower threatened to fall over an embankment. 45 firefighters, led by section fire inspector Christoph Leitner, secured the vehicle with ropes. They were supported by farmers present. The operation lasted about two hours, during which the tractor was finally secured with cable winches and pulled back onto the road. These two events shed light on the dangers that exist in the agricultural sector, particularly when dealing with tractors.

Tractor accidents in context

Tractor accidents are a serious problem in agriculture, statistics show. In 2022 there were 490 serious accidents involving tractors in Bavaria. Over 50% of these accidents were caused by the drivers themselves, and they resulted in 20 deaths. Compared to other traffic accidents, tractor accidents result in deaths or serious injuries more frequently. The number of accidents shows a relatively constant development, with slight decreases over the years, with most accidents occurring outside of built-up areas, often when turning or turning from dirt roads onto roads. Defects such as overhanging loads that impair drivers' visibility and broken indicators further increase the risk.

The sad events in Lobmingtal are a stark reminder of the risks that farmers expose themselves to in everyday life. They require constant vigilance and the need to take preventative measures to avoid such tragic accidents in the future.