Fatal work accident: Farmer in Fohnsdorf trapped under Heuballen

Fatal work accident: Farmer in Fohnsdorf trapped under Heuballen

Fohnsdorf, Österreich - On July 11, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Fohnsdorf, Murtal district, in which a 58-year-old farmer died. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. when the farmer was busy with a tractor to stack several hay bales. Suddenly a stack of hay bales fell over and hit the tractor. The farmer got out and stepped back a few meters, but another stack fell and hit him, causing him to pinch in the area of the abdomen. Despite quickly initiated rescue measures by relatives and the Fohnsdorf police inspection, the man died at the scene of the accident, and attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. Investigations showed that external negligence can be excluded. This was made by 5min.at meinbzirk.at confirmed.

The deadly incident is another example of the dangers that are common in agriculture. Statistics show that agriculture has a high accident rate. Animal husbandry in particular represents one of the largest sources of danger with over 13,000 accidents. Over 23 percent of all accidents recorded come from this area, with the focus in dealing with big cattle, especially cattle. In 2021, in addition to seven deaths, around 4,700 accidents were registered by direct animal contact. Horticulture and landscape maintenance work as well as the handling of machines, devices and vehicles are also common causes of accidents. This is illustrated by the alarming location of the security standards in this sector, such as agrarheute.com reports.

causes of the accident and security

The circumstances of the accident in Fohnsdorf throw a light on the challenges of security in agriculture. Dealing with heavy equipment and working with large materials such as hay bales and animals require the highest caution and corresponding safety precautions. It is crucial that farmers recognize the risks that they are exposed to daily and act accordingly to ensure their security and those of their employees.

This incident shaked the community and the region and serves as a dreary memory of the dangers that are omnipresent in agriculture. The hope is that such tragic accidents help to draw attention to necessary safety standards and prevent future incidents.